Opening remarks

by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the meeting of the North Atlantic Council with Resolute Support operational partner nations at the level of Defence Ministers

  • 08 Jun. 2018 -
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  • Last updated: 08 Jun. 2018 12:32

(As delivered)

Good morning. I think we are ready to start.

And welcome to all of you.

The support NATO and our partners provide in Afghanistan is vital.

We are increasing troop levels in our training mission. And remain committed to the financial sustainment of the Afghan forces. So they can keep their country safe.

Tackle the threat from international terrorism.

And create the conditions for a peaceful solution.

We fully support President Ghani’s proposal for peace talks between the government and the Taliban. The Taliban must understand that they will not win on the battlefield. We urge them to put down their arms and join an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process.

Today’s discussions are an important opportunity to review progress ahead of next month’s NATO Summit.

That concludes the public part of this meeting.

I thank the media for joining us this morning. So thank you so much.