NATO Secretary General on a visit to Afghanistan

They met with President Karzai and senior ISAF Commanders in Kabul and across the country.

The Secretary General and SACEUR met with President Karzai and his Cabinet and discussed the security situation in the country and the need to step up training and equipping of the Afghan National Security Forces. The Secretary General also reaffirmed NATO’s enduring commitment to Afghanistan and optimism about progress so far.

Mr. De Hoop Scheffer also visited the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team in southern Afghanistan, where he observed a visibly improved security situation.   He said that one year ago, he saw heavy combat operations there, as part of NATO’s Operation Medusa.  However, today the Panjwai is calm, the Afghan National Security Forces are increasingly present and development is underway.

The Secretary General thanked Canada for its efforts in Kandahar, a region of strategic importance.