Hahn: We need a KFOR capable of preventing any possible conflict in northern Kosovo

With this argument, German deputies support extending the German Army mission to Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In addition to the ruling coalition of the three parties -- the SPD, the green and the liberal -- opposition Christian Democrats supported the German government's proposal for extending the mandate of the Bundesvehr mission as part of KFOR in Kosovo.

“We need a KFOR capable of acting to reduce the continued potential for conflict and escalation in northern Kosovo and on the border with Serbia”, Florian Hahn said.

The continuation of Germany's participation in the EU mission EUFOR Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina was also approved by representatives of the European Alternative for Germany.

The final decision on the German government's proposal for the extension of both mandates should be made next week.

Secretary of State for Defence Siemje Möller from the SPD said the Western Balkans is the closest neighbor, so preserving peace in the region was their responsibility.

The government's proposal says that the basis for KFOR mission “is still UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and stresses that “Kosovo and Serbia have always made it clear that they want the continuation of KFOR's” presence.

Mission NATO in Kosovo, which has been continuing for 25 years, is the German Army's longest engagement (Bundeswehr) abroad.

The maximum number of members of German fast action units will remain at 400.