The German Defence Minister Thomas de Maizière made a surprise visit to Afghanistan on Tuesday were he will meet Germany's troops based in the north of the country.
He flew directly to the country in a civilian aircraft – the first time he has done so in ten trips, perhaps indicating the improved conditions in the region. He landed in Mazar-e-Sharif late Monday, before arriving unannounced among troops on Tuesday in one of Germany's largest bases.
Germany currently has 4,760 troops in Afghanistan as part of the Nato mission, most of them based in northern Kunduz province.
The minister's trip has been reported as aimed at developing an idea of the Afghanistan's conditions before Germany withdraws its troops in 2014, especially in the Hindu Kush area where it has one of its largest bases.
De Maizière also visited the outpost in the northern Baghlan province where around 500 German soldiers are stationed. Just two years ago, this region was under Taliban control.