The German government on Wednesday agreed to extend the mandate of 3,900 strong German troops in Kosovo indefinitely due to the unstable situation in the region.

The German lower parliament Bundestag is expected to discuss the decision next week and a green light looks certain as the opposition parties hold the same stand on the issue, German news agency DPR said.

The deployment of German forces does not have a formal time limit unless a party in parliament calls for a debate and vote on the issue.

Green party parliamentary spokesman Winfried Nachtwei said it should be realized that the stability in Kosovo has a central meaning for the security in Europe. The mandate must be extended, said Nachtwei.

As part of the NATO peacekeeping forces, German troops were sent to Kosovo in 1999. In March, NATO reinforced troops after ethnic violence took place between Kosovo Serbs and ethnic Albanians.

German officials predict NATO troops will have to remain in Kosovo for many years to come, according to DPR.

Source: Xinhua