Will leave Afghanistan together, Blinken tells NATO

KABUL (Pajhwok): US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday it was time for NATO allies to withdraw from Afghanistan.

In a televised statement at the NATO headquarters in Brussel, Blinken said the alliance would work on an adaptation phase, after Washington announced plans to end America’s longest war after two decades.

“I am here to work closely with our allies, with the (NATO) secretary-general, on the principle that we have established from the start: In together, adapt together and out together,” Blinken said in a televised statement at NATO headquarters.

NATO foreign and defence ministers will discuss their plans later today via video conference.

“And together, we have achieved the goals that we set out to achieve and now, it is time to bring our forces home,” the US official said.

He added they would work closely together, in the weeks and months ahead, on a safe, deliberate and coordinated withdrawal of forces from Afghanistan.

“But even as we do that, our commitment to Afghanistan, to its future, will remain.

Meanwhile, NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said today they would discuss the alliance future presence in Afghanistan.

“We welcome this opportunity to closely coordinate and consult with all Allies, as we agree on our future presence in Afghanistan. So I look forward to the discussion with you, also with the Foreign Ministers and Defence Ministers later on today.”

He said the allies would also discuss and address Russia’s aggressive actions in and around Ukraine.

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