DW in Serbian language reported that Bundestag extended the mandate of the Bundeswehr in Kosovo for one more year, but representatives of all political parties condemned mentioning of “Greater Albania.”
As article further said the concern was expressed over the possibility that Ramush Haradinaj could become new Kosovo Prime Minister.
DW reported that every year by the end of June, German MPs also have to discuss about the extension of Bundeswehr mandate, every year some passionate speeches from the left-wing parties’ representatives take place, who are opposing such German military engagements, but every year the government extends the mandate for one year more.
This time out of 573 present MPs, 513 voted pro, 55 were against while 5 abstained.
MP Gernot Erler (SPD) admitted it is difficult to have the same debate with the same argument every year, but that military presence in Kosovo is still necessary because of provocations such as sending the train carrying inscription “Kosovo is Serbia”
He also added that “anyone who knows the situation in Kosovo and look at the entire situation in the Western Balkans region cannot argue that KFOR is still needed, 18 years after the war.”
At the end, he concluded that things in Kosovo are not ok. “In fact the situation in Kosovo is very concerning.”
“Their candidate for a Prime Minister is Ramush Haradnaj, a man suspected for war crimes who is not behind the bars, just because witnesses were withdrawing their testimonies or died under unclear circumstances”
Erler also reminded that second strongest force is “left-nationalistic group” Self-Determination whose leader Albin Kurti openly requests unification with Albanian and interruption of negotiations with Belgrade if Serbia does not recognize Kosovo.
Left-wing MP Sevim Dagdelen harshly criticized the German Army Kosovo Mission, the longest one in the history of the German Army.
“Billions were paid for this mission, billions vanished within economic support. The outcome is a complete disaster. The situation in Kosovo was always politically sensitive, but now extremists in Kosovo definitely prevail,” she said.
Franz Josef Jung from governing CDU party and former Minister of Defense, rejected criticism from leftists and said that during the nineties “a situation was created that would not lead to stability and peace without NATO intervention.”
He supported the extension of KFOR mandate and added that “Kosovo security forces are able to establish security during large demonstrations or violent clashes,” while KFOR remains as additional security.
