Germany extends Bundeswehr Kosovo mandate

The German Parliament approved on Friday afternoon (8.07.22) the continuation of Bundeswehr's participation in KFOR. The German government's respective request was approved by vote from the (Social democrat, Gelbrit and Liberals) position and the Christian Democrat Union. (CDU/CSU), in opposition. Leftist (Day Link) and rightist ( AfD) were against extension. The vote on the participation of German soldiers in Kosovo is due to prestigious open voting. Of the 627 deputies who gave the vote, 526 voted in favour, 99 against and 2 abstained. The German Parliament has a total of 736 deputies.

Visa liberalisation and EC membership 

Most speakers in the 40-minute debate stressed the necessity of German presence within KFOR as the stabilising factor in the region.

Volker Ulrich, by CDU/ The CSU said that <x0-> people in the region should trust Europe. And for Kosovo this means that we should not only direct appeals for improving reports between Serbia and Kosovo, but also support Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe as the first degree of EU membership perspective.”

Ulrich Lechte, from the co-government party, The FDP, also said in favour of Kosovo's EC membership: “We should not miss the historic chance to introduce Kosovo to the Council of Europe”, the liberal MP said. He noted that “Kosovo has already met 80 per cent of the requirements of the Association-Staticisation Agreement with the EU, and by the end of the year it will apply for EU membership.”

Similarly, Adis Ahmetovic, a social Democrat party rapporteur for the Western Balkans, argued. He stressed the necessity of extending the mandate, given the still unstable situation in the region. But he noted that the region's long-term stabilisation also requires political progress: Ahmetovic said there has already been an age-long change in Germany's Balkan politics. But he said the works must now follow: Kosovo's “Membership in the Council of Europe, visa liberalisation for Kosovo citizens. And Kosovo should be recognised by five European countries as well. This is the federal government plan. And we will stay with this plan”, the German lawmaker, who belongs to the same party, pledged as Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

„failed” and “

Against the extension of the mandate, both extreme parties -- leftistists and rightist (AfD) -- as always expressed.

Hannes Gnack, from the AfD, called Kosovo a failed <x0-state”. “There will never be a multiethnic state in Kosovo, and it was known that ten years ago”, the German deputy said. He reminded 27 soldiers who gave up their lives during KFOR's mission to Kosovo and criticised the current government for lack of a “extradition” -- that is, to get out of Kosovo.

Party MP “E May”, Zaklin Nastic, called Kosovo a state “relatively dysfunctional “with “high-level corruption”. Nastic said that in Kosovo “Nazi corporations like Xhaferer Deva are honoured from large parts of the population to the government. That's the one Xhafer Deva, who in World War II created the SS Skenderbeu Division and is known for crimes against Jews. It is truly terrible that only after extraordinary pressure, the European Union and the UN Development Centre gave up funding the return of this culturalist's home. And there is another scandal that the government in Pristina continues to stand in this plan”, leftist politician said. “For left is clear: Who worships fascists has nothing in common with democracy and human rights. ”

Up to 400 soldiers

Germany has been participating since 1999 in the Kosovo KFOR peacekeeping body. The mandate envisions sending up to 400 German soldiers. German KFOR contingent remains the same as before, but Germany is adding to the military presence in the Western Balkans, with participation in the EUFOR/Althea mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The German Bundestag also approved this Friday afternoon.

KFOR's peacekeeping mission in Kosovo has been engaged since 1999 under UN Security Council Resolution 1244. On June 11, 1999, German Bundestag decided for the first time German participation in a mission abroad. Currently, the number of German soldiers stationed is about 70. Continued mission is expected to cost German citizens sevenm euros. /DW