Defence ministers to decide NATO future in Afghanistan: Stoltenberg

KABUL (Pajhwok): Admiring Belgium’s role in collective security, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said the alliance defence ministers will make crucial decision on Afghanistan this month, according to a statement on Thursday.

“We will discuss the future of NATO's presence in Afghanistan at the upcoming Defence Ministerial meeting this month. Because we are faced with a real dilemma: either to leave as is stated in the US-Taliban agreement, or to stay. And we will assess that very carefully. Also, look into whether the Taliban meets the conditions enshrined in the agreement between the US and the Taliban,” he said.

“This is an important mission fighting international terrorism and helping the Afghans to fight terrorism themselves. To train, assist and advise them,” he said.

Stoltenberg said: “We are faced with a difficult decision, and we have to make that together. Because my message is that there will be costs and challenges, whatever we decide.”

“If we decide to leave, we risk to jeopardize the peace process, we risk to lose the gains we have made in the fight against international terrorism over the last years, and we risk that Afghanistan once again becomes a safe haven for international terrorists,” he added.

“On the other hand, if we decide to stay, Of course we will continue to be in a difficult military operation in Afghanistan, and we risk increased violence also against NATO troops.”

“So my message to all NATO Allies is that whatever we decide we need to do together. We went into Afghanistan together. We should adjust our presence there together, and when the time is right we should leave together.”

“My message to Taliban is that they have to live up to their commitments, especially when it comes to breaking old ties with international terrorists including Al Qaeda. And we need to see reduced violence.”

“We see continued violence in Afghanistan, we have seen attacks, also against individuals, journalists, and others, and of course the high level of violence is something which is of great concern. So, we will make the assessment together, we will make the decision together, and this will be one of the most important topics that will be discussed when we have a NATO Defence Ministerial meeting later this month and decisions will be made.”

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