BRUSSELS (SW) – Ambassador Nicholas Kay, the NATO Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan, has said the Alliance takes the issue of corruption in Afghanistan ‘very seriously’.
He was addressing journalists at the NATO headquarters after the defense ministers from the Alliance concluded a two-day moot that also saw discussions on Afghanistan. He noted progress has been made in Afghanistan towards combating corruption, but there is a long way to go. He stressed further actions should be taken to ensure the donors’ money and the tax payers’ funds are properly spent.
He added the Independent Election Commission should be allowed to conduct its task properly. About the peace process, the NATO SCR expressed hope that the initiative by regional countries as well as by the U.S. special representative for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad help in quick resumption of the peace process for the intra-Afghan negotiations.
He dubbed the unanimity within the NATO defense ministers on Afghan mission as ‘impressive’. He added there was talk of making sure that the mission there is an enduring mission and that the force posture level is an enduring sustainable mission. “I am very struck by everybody repeating that the NATO mission is conditions based”, he added.
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