KABUL (Pajhwok): NATO defence ministers have concluded their two-day meeting in Brussels without taking any decision on troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. .
The ministerial meeting deferred the decision because the alliance believed there was still a chance for peace in the conflict-devastated country; the NATO secretary-general told a virtual news conference on Thursday evening. .
Jens Stoltenberg remarked that the decision on whether to withdraw all foreign troops by May in line with the US-Taliban peace pact or to stay in Afghanistan was not easy. .
Faced with a real dilemma, NATO would risk attacks on its troops if they stayed beyond the May deadline, he said, adding the gains made over the past 20 years would be frittered away if they left.
The withdrawal of all forces was conditions-based, Stoltenberg reiterated, hoping for a significant decline in violence.
The ongoing peace negotiations in Doha were fragile, as no progress was being made by the parties involved, the NATO secretary-general explained.
But the alliance, despite the slow pace of talks, believed there was still time to reach a political agreement before the May 1 deadline, he continued.
While calling for stepping up the peace process, he asked the Taliban to negotiate in good faith, bring down violence levels and sever ties to all terrorist groups.
NATO is closely monitoring the situation on the ground and there is an ongoing assessment, according to Stoltenberg, who indicated a decision would be taken on the basis of evaluation.
“We have made no final decision on the future of our presence. But as the first of May deadline is approaching, NATO allies will continue to closely consult and coordinate in the coming weeks,” he maintained.
