By Cuneyt Karadag
BERLIN (AA) - Germany will send troops to the EU Peacekeeping Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a senior official said Wednesday.
Government spokesperson Steffen Seibert told journalists at a news conference in Berlin that the Cabinet decided to send troops to EUFOR Althea which has been active since 2004.
Seibert said a maximum of 50 soldiers will be sent for one year.
The decision by the Council of Ministers needs to be approved in the Bundestag and Seibert said after approval in parliament, German soldiers will serve until the end of next June and the period can be extended.
The German Defense Ministry also said the federal government decided to resume participation in the EU operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina at EUFOR Althea.
“A stable Western Balkans region is of great importance to us. The first consultation in the Bundestag is expected to take place on June 24th,” it said on Twitter.
Germany had withdrawn troops from EUFOR Althea 10 years ago.