NATO Secretary General holds high-level talks with Serbia, Afghanistan, Pakistan
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has concluded a busy week at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday (26 September 2013) with meetings with the Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic, the Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul, and the Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif.
In his meeting with the Serbian President, Mr. Fogh Rasmussen commeded Mr. Nikolic and his government for their commitment to the Belgrade/Pristina agreement, which will contribute to stability and security in the region. He thanked President Nikolic for his warm words about KFOR's role as a guarantor for peace in the Western Balkans and reaffirmed NATO's and KFOR’s commitment to do their part to support the agreement, and maintain a safe and secure environment in Kosovo. The Secretary General stated that NATO is ready to expand practical cooperation and political dialogue with Serbia step by step.
In his talks with the Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul, the Secretary General expressed NATO’s commitment to completing the ISAF mission by the end of 2014, as planned. The Secretary General commended the capabilities of the Afghan Security Forces as they step into the lead for security across the country. They also discussed planning for NATO's post-2014 mission to train, advise and assist the Afghan National Security Forces. Mr. Fogh Rasmussen emphasised the need for fair, transparent and inclusive presidential elections next year, and encouraged the Afghan government to continue its efforts to combat corruption and drugs production, and to uphold human rights, including women's rights.
The Secretary General started his meeting with the Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif by offering his sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed in the recent tragic earthquake, and his sympathy with the Pakistani people and government. Expressing his concern about the extremism that has cost so many lives in Pakistan, Mr. Fogh Rasmussen deeply deplored the attack on a Christian church in Peshawar. He stressed that strong international cooperation is needed to combat the scourge of terrorism. The NATO Secretary General and Prime Minister Sharif agreed that a stable and secure Afghanistan is in the interest of all. They also agreed to further explore the potential for strengthening the partnership between NATO and Pakistan.The Secretary General is also taking part in the Transatlantic Dinner hosted by US Secretary of State John Kerry, which includes foreign ministers from Europe and North America.