Doorstep statements

I am really glad and very grateful to be able to welcome President Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah here to the NATO Headquarters, so shortly after we met in Kabul just some few weeks ago.

And I think their presence here at NATO Headquarters is a great expression of the strong partnership between NATO and Afghanistan.

And 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.

I salute your leadership in forming the National Unity Government.

And 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, the 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. So I really look forward to working with you for the benefit of Afghanistan, and global peace and security.