11 May 2005

Afghan President visits NATO News 10/05/2005 - NATO Visit to NATO by the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, H.E. Mr. Hamid Karzai on Wednesday, 11 May 2005 Opinions 11/05/05 - NATO Opening Statement by NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer at the North Atlantic Council meeting with non-NATO ISAF contributors 11/05/05 - NATO Opening Statement by the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, H.E. Mr. Hamid Karzai at the North Atlantic Council meeting with non-NATO ISAF contributors Background NATO in Afghanistan Multimedia 11/05/2005 - NATO High resolution photos 11/05/2005 - NATO Opening statement by NATO Secretary General .wmv/1889kb 11/05/2005 - NATO Opening statement by President Karzai .wmv/3961kb 11/05/2005 - NATO Audio file from the joint press point .MP3/5808kb Addressing Alliance decision-makers on 11 May, Afghan President Hamid Karzai called for continued support from NATO and the international community. Mr. Karzai addressed a special session of the North Atlantic Council, the Alliance’s principal decision-making body, and met for talks with NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. A long-term commitment President Karzai thanked NATO for its contribution to Afghan security, saying the “significant progress” the country had made was owed to “the sacrifices your sons and daughters have made in Afghanistan.” Despite the progress, he said that Afghanistan will continue to require the international community’s support, even after the upcoming parliamentary elections. The elections, due to be held in September this year, will formally mark the end of the so-called Bonn process, which provided the international framework for the political and economic reconstruction of Afghanistan to date. “When the Afghan Parliament comes to begin its work, we will only begin a different phase of the work,” said President Karzai, “My request today is that you continue to stay with us after the parliamentary elections.” Since August 2003, NATO has been leading the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, and is currently expanding its presence in the country. The Alliance will also assist the Afghan authorities with security for the parliamentary elections. This was Mr. Karzai’s first visit to NATO Headquarters since his election as President of Afghanistan. The Council session was attended by representatives of non-NATO countries that are contributing to the Alliance-led mission, the United Nations and the European Union.