The German government has decided to extend the mandate of several Bundeswehr missions abroad including its participation in NATO’s peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, KFOR, and the EU-led EUFOR Althea mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
For the decision to take effect, it still requires approval from the Bundestag (German Parliament).
Government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius stated that Berlin is reaffirming its ongoing commitment to peace and stability in the region, according to the German newspaper Zeit.
The Bundeswehr has been stationed in Kosovo since 1999 as part of NATO’s KFOR mission. The current troop ceiling for German forces in Kosovo remains set at 400 soldiers.
“The security situation in the country remains fragile,” said Kornelius. In 2023, the German contingent was temporarily reinforced due to increased tensions. A stable Kosovo, he emphasized, “is of essential importance for Germany and all of Europe.”
Zeit reports that while the KFOR mission is technically open-ended, its mandate is still submitted to the Bundestag for annual approval.
