“Maintaining peace in the Balkans is our responsibility.” With this argument, German deputies support the extension of the German army mission in Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Besides the ruling coalition of three parties—SPD, the Greens, and the Liberals—the opposition Christian Democrats also supported the German government’s proposal to extend the mandate of the Bundeswehr mission as part of KFOR in Kosovo.
“We need a capable KFOR to reduce the ongoing potential for conflict and escalation in northern Kosovo and at the border with Serbia,” said Florian Hahn.
The continuation of Germany’s participation in the EU mission EUFOR Althea in Bosnia-Herzegovina was also approved by representatives of the Alternative for Germany. The final decision on the German government’s proposal to extend both mandates is expected next week.
Secretary of State for Defense, Siemtje Möller from the SPD, stated that the Western Balkans is their closest neighbor, hence maintaining peace in the region is their responsibility.
The government’s proposal states that the basis for the KFOR mission “is still United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244” and emphasizes that “both Kosovo and Serbia have always made it clear that they want the KFOR presence to continue.”
NATO’s mission in Kosovo, ongoing for 25 years, is the longest engagement of the German army (Bundeswehr) abroad. The maximum number of members of the German rapid response units will remain at 400.