Press Release (2005)165 19 Dec. 2005

Statement by the Secretary General on the Inauguration of the Afghan Parliament On behalf of NATO, I warmly congratulate the Afghan people on this important day, in which a democratically elected Afghan Parliament is sitting for the first time in more than thirty years. This opening session of the Wolesi (National Assembly) and the Meshrano Jirgas (Senate) is a decisive new phase in Afghanistan’s political evolution. It is a visible sign that the democratic process is taking hold and comes on the heels of equally important milestones achieved since 2001, such as the drafting of a Constitution and free elections. NATO remains firmly committed, as part of the broad international effort, to helping Afghanistan and its people meet their aspirations for peace, security and democracy. The NATO-led mission, ISAF, will continue to play a key role in this regard as it expands in the months to come.

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