Not leaving Afghanistan per se: NATO deputy chief

KABUL (Pajhwok): NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană has said the international community has invested so much in Afghanistan over the past 20 years and they were not leaving Afghanistan per se.

Addressing the spring meeting of the NATO parliamentary assembly in Brussels, he said Afghanistan will continue to be for NATO and for the international community a destination for permanent attention and support.

“As we speak, we are drafting potential ways in which NATO would eventually continue to be of support for the Afghan national security forces, like we have done successfully over the years”.

He said they were interested in making sure that the progress on women’s rights, girls’ rights and others achieved with great sacrifice will not be wasted.

“All of us should encourage an inter-Afghan peace process,” the deputy NATO chief said, adding they wanted to see Afghanistan a responsible and respected partner of the international community.

He said many things could be done to open Afghanistan and the region for commerce, investment, trade, stability and security.

Geoană sad withdrawing the Resolute Support Mission after two-decade long international operation did not mean the end of their interest and support.

“Active support, generous support, synergistic support for this country, which is a linchpin for stability and security for a much broader area.”

nh/ma

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