21 minutes agoIncreasing tensions: Germany considers sending additional troops to Kosovo
Periskopi(3 years ago)
(3 years ago)Germany could send additional troops to reinforce NATO's peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, KFOR, following increasing tensions in Serb-run northern Kosovo. So Germany's Defence Minister Boris Pistorius declared on July 7th. After the request from my Austrian colleague Claudia [Tanner], we are considering whether we can [...]
Germany could send additional troops to reinforce NATO's peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, KFOR, following increasing tensions in Serb-run northern Kosovo.
So Germany's Defence Minister Boris Pistorius declared on July 7th.
After request by my Austrian colleague Claudia [Tanner], we are considering whether we can increase our commitment a little within the current [parliamentary] mandate to ease Austria's burden”, he told reporters after meeting his counterparts from Austria and Switzerland in Bern.
As in late May, tensions in northern Kosovo increased, NATO engaged 700 additional troops in Kosovo, in addition to 4,000 troops that are only deployed to Kosovo.
Currently, there are 70 German troops within KFOR.
As of late May, Serbs in Zvecan, Leposaviq and Zubin Potok have been opposing that young Albanian mayors work from municipal buildings. They are also seeking the withdrawal of Kosovo Police Special Units from the north.
Since then, several incidents of shock-bambas and hand grenades have been recorded in the north, as well as May 29th in Zvecan Serb protesters have clashed with KFOR members. Dozens of people on both sides have been hurt by these clashes.
The European Union has submitted three requests to Kosovo and Serbia to reduce tensions.
Because of their failure to meet, the EU by the end of June has begun to implement several punitive measures.
The German Embassy in Pristina on 6 July confirmed that it has temporarily interrupted co-operation with Kosovo in certain areas, the cause of non-fulfillment of EU requirements. / REL
