Berlin - Germany criticized Kosovo Monday for detaining three of its intelligence agents for more than a week, but said it was not planning to cut back aid to the tiny Balkan state.

Deputy government spokesman Thomas Steg said in Berlin that Germany had an interest in stability in both the region and in Kosovo and was not considering "reducing aid in reprisal."

But he added, "It is common to review aid after a certain period."

The government "strongly" welcomed the "overdue" release on Friday of the men, aged 41 to 47, who work for the BND foreign intelligence service. Steg said the allegations against them had been "groundless."

Kosovo said they were arrested November 17 on suspicion of throwing a bomb at a European Union office building. (dpa)