NATO position on Afghanistan presence unchanged: Stoltenberg

KABUL (Pajhwok): NATO chief Jen Stoltenberg on Monday said he spoke to President Ashraf Ghani and discussed with him the peace process, saying the western military alliance’s position has not changed and their troops presence in Afghanistan was conditions based.

The NATO secretary general tweeted that they would continue helping the Afghan security forces to ensure Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for international terrorism

US acting Defense Secretary, Christopher Miller on Friday announced the drawdown of American troops in Afghanistan to 2,500 personnel.

But the NATO chief, commenting on the US troops drawdown, said that the US had made it clear that they would continue to provide their enablers to the Resolute Support Mission”, but NATO’s position in this regard had not changed.

“We are carrying out our Train/Advise/Assist mission in its current configuration, with a Headquarters in Kabul and four regional commands. We are helping the Afghan security forces in their efforts towards lasting peace, and ensuring that Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for international terrorism” he said.

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