US Vice President consults with Allies on Afghanistan
The Vice President of the United States, Joseph Biden, met today with the North Atlantic Council to discuss the main challenges ahead in Afghanistan and consult with NATO Allies on the ongoing US strategic policy review towards Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Allies welcomed this consultation process and the recent decision by President Obama to send more forces to ISAF. They agreed that the international community cannot afford the cost of failure in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
NATO Ambassadors highlighted the need to concentrate efforts on building a regional approach, engaging local Afghan communities at the district level, as well as on a stronger civilian effort and increased support for Afghan institution building, in particular the Afghan Army and Police.
Allies also stressed the need to focus efforts on tackling the narcotics problem and reducing civilian casualties to an absolute minimum.
Today's consultations were part of the discussions conducted by Allies in the run up to the 60th anniversary NATO Summit in Strasbourg / Kehl on April 3-4. NATO Allies agreed that these consultations are key as well as part of the development of a joint and agreed way forward for Afghanistan.