Troops Remain in Bosnia

Germany currently has 3,000 military and civilian staff in Bosnia as part a European Union peacekeeping mission. While Germany's cabinet agreed to deploy troops to the country for another year, it will cut the number to 2,400.

In recent years, the situation in Bosnia has markedly improved, said government spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm.

"Due to these positive developments there are plans in the EU to reduce the military presence in Bosnia-Herzegovina," Wilhelm said at a news conference.

Yet problems have continued since the war ended in 1995. Tensions between ethnic groups as well as organized crime and corruption remain, the government warned in a statement.

European troops stay in Bosnia

The reduction of troops will also lead to a cut in the 900 troops currently serving with the European Union force (EUFOR.) The UN Security Council is expected to extend the force's mandate. The German decision to continue to contribute forces will go to the parliament in Berlin for final approval.

Although the EU has no plan to immediately withdraw peacekeepers from Bosnia, the situation there is set to change. In the middle of next year, the international protectorate and the post of the peace overseer will be dismantled.

Germany currently has 9,000 troops deployed in the Balkans, Congo, Afghanistan and the Middle East.