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  • 4 July 2007 - NATO
    Weekly press briefing by NATO Spokesman, James Appathurai MP3/20.165Kb
3 Jul 2007

UN, NATO chart Afghanistan approach at
Rome conference

Speaking at a conference in Rome, 3 July, NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said success in Afghanistan required the fulfilment of six key priorities.

These were: a major increase in development; stepping up training of the Afghan army and police; a sustained international military presence; reducing the loss of civilian life and property; engaging Pakistan; and a comprehensive approach involving civilian and military actors.

Need for more coordination

“The international efforts to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan are already considerable,” Mr. De Hoop Scheffer told the conference, “But more remains to be done.”

During the conference, the Secretary General discussed progress in Afghanistan with President Hamid Karzai and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. 

This included the need to step up training of Afghan security forces, the issue of civilian casualties, and greater coordination among the international community.

“The effective application of a comprehensive approach by the whole of the international community will enable us to win not just the conflict, but also the peace,” he stressed.

Mr. De Hoop Scheffer and Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also discussed the ongoing Security Council discussions on the future status of Kosovo.

The conference on rule of law in Afghanistan was organized by the Italian government, which is the G-8 lead nation for rule of law in Afghanistan.

During his visit to Rome, the Secretary General met with Italian President Napolitano, Prime Minister Prodi, Foreign Minister d’Alema and the Defence Minister Parisi.