Nato defence ministers agreed at a meeting in Brussels on June 11 2009 to begin a gradual reduction of the size of KFOR in Kosovo, the alliance said in a media statement.
 
The decision was made "taking into account the steady improvement of the security situation in Kosovo".
 
There had been a "positive evolution over a sustained period of time".
 
"The decision to gradually reduce troop numbers will reflect this development," Nato said.
 
Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, Nato’s outgoing Secretary General, said that the most likely timeframe was for the reduction to take effect by January 1 2010, although no precise date had been set, with further reductions if circumstances allow. Reportedly, the reduction will be from 14 000 to 10 000.
 
Earlier, Scheffer called into question whether the timing was right for a reduction, and denied previous reports that a decision already had been taken about a planned reduction.
 
According to the Nato statement, the alliance’s defence ministers agreed that the transition of KFOR to a so-called "deterrent presence" would be implemented in a gradual and phased manner. 
 
"Ministers made clear that the pace of reductions in the KFOR troop levels will be decided by the North Atlantic Council as the situation evolves, taking into account security conditions."
 
While emphasising that a gradual reduction in the number of military personnel is part of the normal evolution of a successful military operation, "ministers noted that there will be no automaticity in this process".
 
Enhanced flexiblity and situational awareness will be important components of the new KFOR force posture, Nato said.
 
"While downsizing troops on the ground, KFOR will continue relying on quick, capable over the horizon reserves."
 
The ministers reaffirmed that KFOR will remain responsible for a safe and secure environment in Kosovo and will stay in Kosovo under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 as long as necessary and as long as the UN Security Council does not decide otherwise. 
 
They reiterated that the alliance’s commitment to Kosovo and the maintenance of a safe and secure environment "remains firm".
 
Serbian news site B92 quoted German defence minister Franz Josef Jung as saying that EULEX, the EU rule of law mission, and the Kosovo Security Forces were now better able to take care of the Kosovo population’s security needs.
 
Serbian defence minister Dragan Sutanovac told the meeting that KFOR in Kosovo should not be reduced hastily, as security had not yet been raised to the necessary level when it came to Kosovo Serbs and other non-Albanians.