"Germany mulls reducing KFOR numbers"

The German government wishes to cut the number of its troops deployed in Kosovo, writes a German daily. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung is quoting its sources with the country's Defense Ministry. "Germany mulls reducing KFOR numbers" "Considering the security situation in Kosovo, it seems to makes sense to consider steps to reduce the military presence," the sources said. The conservative daily also writes that it is important for this to happen in consensus with the NATO partners. But Eckard von Kaeden of the ruling CDU has warned that a complete withdrawal from Kosovo is so far away that it cannot be thought about. "Such speculation does not correspond with the security situation," he said, and reminded that the number of German soldiers has already been decreased, to reach some 2,600. Opposition Green Party security expert Winfried Nachtwei also warned against any insufficiently thought through troop reduction in Kosovo. "KFOR will for a while have to remain one of the irreplaceable factors of order in Kosovo", said he. Germany has the largest number of its soldiers deployed abroad in Afghanistan, and in Kosovo. Within KFOR, Germans have the most troops.

"Germany mulls reducing KFOR numbers"

"Considering the security situation in Kosovo, it seems to makes sense to consider steps to reduce the military presence," the sources said.

The conservative daily also writes that it is important for this to happen in consensus with the NATO partners.

But Eckard von Kaeden of the ruling CDU has warned that a complete withdrawal from Kosovo is so far away that it cannot be thought about.

"Such speculation does not correspond with the security situation," he said, and reminded that the number of German soldiers has already been decreased, to reach some 2,600.

Opposition Green Party security expert Winfried Nachtwei also warned against any insufficiently thought through troop reduction in Kosovo.

"KFOR will for a while have to remain one of the irreplaceable factors of order in Kosovo", said he.

Germany has the largest number of its soldiers deployed abroad in Afghanistan, and in Kosovo.

Within KFOR, Germans have the most troops.