ISAF Foreign Ministers commit to supporting Afghanistan beyond transition
Foreign Ministers of NATO and ISAF contributing partner nations met in Brussels on 8 December and were joined by the Foreign Minister of Afghanistan. Ministers pledged their support beyond the completion of transition to Afghan security lead by the end of 2014.
“We are committed to Afghanistan and its future” Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said. “Together, we have all made a considerable investment to make Afghanistan stable, safe and secure. And we will make sure that investment has not been in vain.”
Welcoming President Karzai’s recent announcement on the second set of areas to be transferred to full Afghan security responsibility, Ministers noted that this decision will soon see Afghan army and police starting to provide security for over 50% of the population.
ISAF’s mission will therefore evolve from combat to training and assistance. Ministers stressed that while ISAF’s mission will change, their commitment to Afghanistan will remain.
Ministers looked forward to the Chicago Summit in May, where they intend to agree a package of concrete measures to support Afghanistan beyond 2014 .
“We have the momentum. To keep it will demand continued commitment and continued support. And this is what we are determined to provide”, Secretary General Rasmussen said.