NEW YORK – Pistorius: Germany to keep backing UN peacekeeping missions

NEW YORK, Sept 17 (ATSH-DPA) — German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius confirmed today at UN headquarters in New York that Germany will continue supporting UN peacekeeping missions. After meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Pistorius said peacekeeping and peacemaking efforts must remain a central duty of all countries.

According to the German government, UN missions are among the most important instruments for preserving peace in crisis- and conflict-affected areas, helping reduce violence. Pistorius also confirmed that Germany is ready to commit to other UN missions even after the end of the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon.

The UNIFIL mission, which has operated for nearly 50 years, will end on December 31, 2026 and then close within a year, under a unanimous decision of the 15 Security Council members. Germany currently contributes more than 200 troops to UN peacekeeping missions and is the fourth-largest financial contributor to the organization’s peacekeeping operations.