Bundeswehr in Kosovo for 20 years
The Bundeswehr has been deployed in Kosovo for 20 years. German soldiers are to continue to support the peace process for another twelve months. The Cabinet has decided to extend the KFOR (Kosovo Force) mandate. It must still be approved by the German Bundestag.
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The Bundeswehr has been helping stabilise Kosovo since 1999
Photo: picture alliance/dpa/Sina Schuldt
Overall the situation in Kosovo is peaceful, but an unexpected incident could still trigger tensions, especially in the north of the country.
Maximum of 400 Bundeswehr soldiers deployed
The strength of German troops has been reduced in line with NATO’s plans. The Bundeswehr will no longer be part of the operational reserve forces. In December the Bundeswehr pulled out of the Prizren camp, so that all Bundeswehr soldiers are now based in Pristina.
The ceiling on troops has thus been reduced to 400. This will still allow the Bundeswehr to respond swiftly and flexibly, in line with its NATO commitments, should the security situation deteriorate unexpectedly. At present 68 German soldiers are deployed.
Strengthening the rule of law
The extension of the mandate is in Germany’s interests in terms of security policy and European policy. The international Kosovo Force (KFOR) troops also support the EU’s extensive engagement in strengthening the rule of law in Kosovo.
The German government will continue to support the process of normalising relations between Kosovo and Serbia, and to work for stable development in Kosovo and in the region.
The German Bundestag first decided that German soldiers should be deployed as part of the Kosovo Force 20 years ago, on 11 June 1999. Since then the Bundeswehr mission has continued to be based on the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 of 10 June 1999.