German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg arrived in Pristina Wednesday, a few days before the parliamentary elections in Kosovo, to visit German soldiers stationed there as part of KFOR.

Guttenberg wishes to acquaint himself with the situation on the ground and offer support to the peace mission, German media report.

He also wishes to meet the soldiers and hear about their problems and needs.

German media note that NATO currently has about 8,500 troops in Kosovo, of which the largest contingent is from Germany - 1,350.

This is also the second largest contingent of the German army abroad, after Afghanistan.