KABUL, Afghanistan – The Heads of State and Government of Allied and partners’ troop contributing nations to the NATO-led Resolute Support mission met, July 12, within the framework of the NATO Summit held in Brussels, July 11-12, and reaffirmed their commitment to Afghanistan’s lasting security.
Included in the meeting were U.S. Army Gen. John W. Nicholson, NATO-led Resolute Support commander, Ambassador Cornelius Zimmermann, NATO Senior Civilian Representative to Afghanistan, and representatives from Japan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the United Nations, European Union, and the World Bank.
A joint statement was issued at the end of the meeting, reaffirming the shared commitment to Afghanistan’s long-term security and stability and welcoming the progress made by the Afghan security forces and institutions.
In the statement, NATO Allies and operational partners announced their commitment to: sustain the non-combat Resolute Support mission until conditions indicate a change in the mission is appropriate; extend financial sustainment of the Afghan forces through 2024; and make further progress on developing a political and practical partnership with Afghanistan, including through the Enduring Partnership.
For its part, Afghanistan committed to continue its efforts towards reform, including by further strengthening its security forces and institutions, combatting corruption and organizing and holding credible, free, fair, and inclusive parliamentary and presidential elections in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
In a press conference following the meeting, the NATO Secretary General highlighted the nations’ and Alliance’s reaffirmation.
“Today, we also decided to sustain our presence in Afghanistan until conditions indicate a change is appropriate,” said Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General. “This will help them [Afghanistan] further develop their Special Forces and Air Force, as they continue to fight international terrorism.”
“We also expressed strong support for President Ghani’s bold peace proposal,” said Stoltenberg. “And our continued commitment will strengthen Afghanistan in its efforts to create the conditions for lasting peace and reconciliation.”
Established in 2015, Resolute Support (RS) is a NATO-led, non-combat mission to train, advise and assist the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF), who assumed nationwide responsibility for Afghanistan’s security following the conclusion of the previous NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission. Its purpose is to help the Afghan security forces and institutions develop the capacity to defend Afghanistan and protect its citizens in a sustainable manner.
This report originally appeared on Resolute Support Afghanistan’s Website on July 14, 2018. Original link.
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