Secretary General welcomes Afghan leaders as NATO and Afghanistan open new chapter of cooperation
NATO Secretary General Mr. Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani and the Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah to NATO Headquarters on Monday (1 December 2014). “Their presence here at NATO Headquarters is a great expression of the strong partnership between NATO and Afghanistan,” NATO Secretary General said.
“I warmly welcome the ratification of the security agreements with NATO and with the United States. We now have in place what we need to move forward with our new mission, Resolute Support. To train, advise and assist the Afghan National Security Forces from the first of January 2015. And build on our common achievements, as Afghans take responsibility for their security. We will continue to help finance the Afghan National Security Forces. And we will develop our enduring partnership,” he added.
“For over a decade, NATO Allies and partners have stood shoulder to shoulder with the Afghan people. Helping to turn Afghanistan from a safe-haven for international terrorists into a country that holds its head up high in the world”, Mr. Stoltenberg added.
Both President Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah will participate in tomorrow’s meeting of Foreign Ministers in Resolute Support format. The United Nations and the European Union have also been invited to attend.