KABUL (SW) – The NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg has reaffirmed support for the Afghan peace process while urging the Taliban to realize they cannot win on the battlefield.
He said this ahead of NATO Defence Ministers meeting in Brussels. Stoltenberg said NATO members will conclude the ministerial by meeting with all nations contributing to the training mission in Afghanistan. ‘Our Resolute Support Mission is making a difference. Despite the challenging circumstances, the brave Afghan security forces are getting stronger. And they are helping create the conditions for peace. We fully support the efforts led by the United States to end the conflict and to achieve a peaceful solution’, he said.
Stoltenberg added Allies are consulting closely on the way forward. “I expect ministers will address the peace process and how our Resolute Support Mission can best support it. The Taliban must understand they cannot win on the battlefield. They must commit to a reduction in violence, and show that they are genuinely committed to a peaceful future for Afghanistan”, he said.
He also condemned Tuesday’s attack in Kabul that killed six people. “It shows once again the consequences of horrendous violence against innocent civilians. It also demonstrates the strong need to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in Afghanistan”, Stoltenberg said.
The NATO Secretary General expressed hope that Allies can see progress in the people talks. “Let me also add that we went into Afghanistan together – all Allies and partners. We will make decisions on the adjustment of our force levels together and one day we will leave together. Because we are not in Afghanistan to stay there forever. We are there to create the conditions for peace and to enable the Afghan security forces to protect themselves without our help”, he stressed.
Responding to a question, he said there are some 16,000 NATO troops training and helping the Afghans so that they can fight terrorism themselves. “We have to make sure that when we leave, we don’t create the conditions for ISIS to return or international terrorists to return. But that we have created strong local national institutions that can protect and defend themselves.
ENDS
