German Defense Minister: KFOR nearing end of mandate

He met in Pristina with KFOR commander, German General Markus Bentler, stating that the situation on the ground was not flawless and that KFOR's presence was still needed, but that the mission was nearing its end.

He said that the decrease in KFOR troops was a result of an improvement in the security situation in Kosovo, adding that the further scaling down would depend on how the situation developed.

"A lot more is left to be done. After a long road, we have come to the last 100 meters, but during these last 100 meters a lot of unexpected things can occur, and that is why the next step must be taken carefully and it must be well thought out," he said.

Guttenberg added that KFOR was nearing its second phase, which would enable a further decrease in troops if it is successful, but added that any decision must be "agreed on with the rest of NATO".

"It is important that our allies do not make rushed decision over night that could lead to surprises and endangering the success of the mission," he said.

Bentler also spoke to say that there was no correlation between the decrease of KFOR troops and the assembling of the Kosovo Security Forces, adding that those were not a replacement for KFOR according to their mandate.

He added that there were "no dangers threatening Kosovo from the outside, but that the northern region still represents a challenge".

"In the (Kosovska) Mitrovica region and north of the Ibar River we still must patrol armed and act decisively," Bentler said.

He was reported as saying that the ICJ decision on the legality of the Kosovo Albanian unilateral proclamation "could have consequences for its future".