The leaders of NATO member countries agreed on Monday 14 June that the withdrawal of their troops from Afghanistan - after 20 years of presence - does not mean the end of the relationship with the country.
“We will now open a new chapter”, they stressed, confirming their commitment to continue supporting the country, its people and its institutions to promote security and preserve the hard-won gains of the past 20 years.
The Allies reiterate that NATO will maintain an office in Kabul for its Senior Civilian Representative to pursue diplomacy and strengthen the partnership with Afghanistan, and that NATO will continue to provide training and financial support to the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces.
The Allies will also provide transitional funding to ensure the continued operation of Kabul International Airport. While Turkey has said it is ready to protect the airport, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the Allies were working on the issue, without confirming that Turkey would actually have this role.
The organisation also pledges to develop dialogue on Afghanistan with relevant international and regional partners. The Alliance will continue to support the ongoing peace process and calls on all stakeholders to help Afghanistan promote an inclusive and sustainable political settlement, the leaders add.
See the statement: https://bit.ly/3wpRP3V (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)