German government initiates continuation of Kosovo military mission

The federal cabinet has approved the continuation of German participation in the KFOR mission in Kosovo for another year. The federal parliament, Bundestag, will consider this request in the coming weeks.

The mandate provides for no changes to be sent to Kosovo by up to 400 German soldiers. Currently, according to information from the Federal Government, about 70 members of the German Armed Forces, Bundeswehri are engaged.

The figure of 400 Bundeswehr soldiers, however, has been decided not to diminish, so that Bundeswehri can react quickly and with flexibility.

Since Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence, KFOR in Kosovo is focused on monitoring the development of professional, democratic and multiethnic security structures. The presence of international troops serves the long-term stabilisation of Kosovo's northern border region. Co-operation with international organisations and local actors is very important in this context.

KFOR in Kosovo has been engaged since 1999 under UN Security Council Resolution 1244. On 11 June 1999, the German Bundestag decided for the first time German participation in the KFOR Force in Kosovo. / DW