Germany–Kosovo relations

Germany–Kosovo relations are foreign relations between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Kosovo. Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008 and Germany recognized it on 20 February 2008.[1] Germany has an embassy in Pristina since 27 February 2008.[2] Kosovo has an embassy in Berlin[3] and consulates in Frankfurt, Stuttgart[4] ,Munich,[5] Düsseldorf and Leipzig. The two countries have very good and friendly relations.

German–Kosovan
Map indicating locations of Germany and Kosovo

Germany
Kosovo
Diplomatic mission
Embassy of Germany, PristinaEmbassy of Kosovo, Berlin
Envoy
Ambassador Jörn RohdeAmbassador Beqë Cufaj

Germany is the second-largest donor to Kosovo behind the US.[6]

BND affair

On 19 November 2008 three agents of the Bundesnachrichtendienst were arrested in Kosovo and accused of involvement in a bomb attack five days earlier.[7] The German media speculated that this arrest was meant as some kind of punishment for the BND, which in 2005 certified that Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi was involved in the Kosovar-Albanian mafia network.[8] Even though the Kosovo police claimed to have video evidence proving the involvement of the three agents (which was never shown to the public),[9] they were released on November 28, 2008.[10] An unknown group called Army of the Republic of Kosovo (ARK) claimed responsibility for the bomb attack.

Military

Germany participated in the 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, which resulted in a UN administration of Kosovo and then to eventual independence. Germany currently has 2,350 troops serving in Kosovo as peacekeepers in the NATO led Kosovo Force. Originally there were 8,500 German troops in KFOR.[11] Klaus Reinhardt was the 2nd KFOR Commander from 8 October 1999 until 18 April 2000. Holger Kammerhoff was the 8th KFOR Commander from 3 October 2003 until 1 September 2004. Roland Kather was the 11th KFOR Commander from 1 September 2006 until 31 August 2007.

Germany sent 600 Soldiers to serve as Peacekeepers in EULEX; an EU Police, Civilian and Law Mission in Kosovo.[12]

See also

References
  1. "Germany recognises Kosovo". German Federal Government. Archived from the original on 2011-09-26.
  2. "Deutsche Botschaft Pristina - Startseite".
  3. "diplo - Startseite - HTTP Status 404". Auswärtiges Amt.
  4. "Consular Missions Of The Republic Of Kosovo - Diplomatic Missions - Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Republic of Kosovo". Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Republic of Kosovo.
  5. "Shërbimet Konsullore - Mynih".
  6. "REGIERUNGonline - Germany pledges 100 million euros for Kosovo". Archived from the original on 2009-08-05. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
  7. "Germans held in Kosovo over blast". BBC News. 23 November 2008. Retrieved 3 May 2010.
  8. SPIEGEL ONLINE, Hamburg, Germany (1 December 2008). "Covert Cock-Up: Germany's Failed Spy Mission in Kosovo". SPIEGEL ONLINE.
  9. SPIEGEL ONLINE, Hamburg, Germany (25 November 2008). "German Spy Scandal: Kosovo Claims to Have Video of 'Terrorism'". SPIEGEL ONLINE.
  10. "Three German Spies Await Release At Kosovo Airport". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Archived from the original on 2008-12-04.
  11. "Kosovo Force (KFOR)" www.nato.int Link accessed 21-07-09
  12. "British troops arrive in Kosovo"ukpress.google.com 24 May 2008 Link accessed 24/05/08 Archived May 26, 2008, at the Wayback Machine


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