KABUL (SW): Ismail Aramaz, the Senior Civilian Representative (SCR) of NATO’s Resolute Support Mission (RSM) in Afghanistan said on Saturday that the alliance would enhance the enduring partnership with Afghanistan for the years to come
Talking to a group of journalists at the Resolute Support Mission (RSM) Headquarters here, he said that the NATO allies and partners are expected to take three major decisions with respect to Afghanistan at the forthcoming Warsaw Summit of the alliance.
“Firstly, we will sustain our non-combat Resolute Support Mission beyond 2016 through a flexible regional motto to continue to deliver training, advice and assistance to the Afghan security institutions and forces. Secondly, nations would commit to continuing national contributions to the financial sustainment of the ANSF including until the end of 2020, and thirdly we will strengthen and enhance the enduring partnership between NATO and Afghanistan”, he noted.
NATO’s Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan stressed that these decisions demonstrate the alliance’s enduring and steadfast commitment to the country. “Afghanistan will not stand alone” he said, adding that this is going to be a two way street where the NATO partners and allies would be looking at signs for continued political stability and of tangible progress in areas such as countering corruption, human rights and electoral reforms in Afghanistan.
Ismail Aramaz noted that empowerment of women, especially within the Afghan National Army (ANA) and the Afghan National Police (ANP), and protection of children remains essential targets. He also underlined that NATO seek full cooperation of the Afghan authorities in strengthening the security forces and institutions, and keeping it immune to political interference.
The SCR pronounced a political settlement of the armed conflict essential. Responding to a question about the role of Pakistan for peace in Afghanistan, he said Pakistan can do more in this regard, particularly with respect to the infrastructure of the Haqqani Netowork and presence of Taliban leader on its soil.
“Daesh is a new threat to the region and the Afghan national defense and security forces are resilient in rising up to the challenge posed by the terrorists”, he said. Ismail Aramaz acknowledged the improved leadership and better coordination among the Afghan forces. He recalled that Afghanistan had the strongest army in the region back in the 1970s with two armored brigades and up to 400 aircrafts. The NATO’s civilian representative said the alliance would not be here forever and has marked 2024 as the end of the transition era.
ENDS
