Opening remarks

by NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer at the Informal meeting with non-NATO ISAF contributing nations

Let me begin with a very warm welcome to all ISAF contributors, to Minister Wardak of Afghanistan, and to the representatives from the UN, EU and World Bank. Our meeting today is a concrete example of the comprehensive approach that the International Community has adopted in Afghanistan.

Without a doubt, the situation on the ground is challenging. But despite some gloomy headlines, there is clear progress. 80% of Afghans now have access to health care – up 10 times from 2001. Over six million children are in school, and 40% are girls. Over four million refugees have come home – the largest such return in history. Afghan forces are starting to take the lead in major operations in the South and the East. When it comes to Afghanistan, cautious optimism is fully justified.

But optimism is not enough. It needs concrete action to become reality.

Governance must visibly improve, so that the Afghan people have trust in their leaders. The police need robust support to develop, and they need it now. The narco-economy must be replaced by a legal, sustainable economy. And the Afghan Army must get more support, from NATO nations and from partners, to stand on its own feet and defend its own country – a view I know Minister Wardak shares.

NATO will play its part – but NATO and ISAF are only part of the answer. Our goal today will be to see how all the countries and organisations represented here today can step up our efforts and our cooperation.

Our goal remains not only to create stability and functioning institutions, but to help Afghans seek a better future in a country where core universal values will be fully respected.