As a small country with great potential, we are proud of the consolidated partnership we have built between Kosovo and Canada. We are proud to share the same fundamental values of democracy, human rights, diversity and inclusion.
Canada was one of the first countries to open their doors and their hearts for the Kosovo refugee shelter in 1999. More than 7,000 refugees came from Kosovo to Canada. They came to find hope but also a home, so Canada has been doing very much for Kosovo over the years.
Recently we have been working very hard with regard to strengthening the relationship in defence and security. Two years ago, Kosovo joined the MTCP, the military training co-operation program. Today we have cadets in Canada who have been training for months. Canada also has a presence in Kosovo as part of the programs and agreements we have reached in the last couple of years. As well, Canada has a presence in Kosovo as part of KFOR, which is part of NATO. It's a very small mission. There are six soldiers and a defence attaché, but Canada officially has its own mission in Kosovo as part of NATO.