BRUSSELS (SW): NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said the alliance has completed its regular review of the training mission in Afghanistan, and decision about troops’ surge would be taken next month.
Addressing a press conference ahead of the Meeting of NATO Heads of State and Government, he said the military commanders have asked for a few thousand more troops. He said nearly 13,000 troops from NATO and partner countries contribute to our Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan to train the Afghan forces to secure their country and deny safe haven to international terrorists.
Recalling the progress made by the alliance since 2014, he said NATO has implemented the biggest reinforcement of its collective defence since the end of the Cold War. “Including tripling the size of the NATO Response Force to 40,000 troops. With a 5,000-strong Spearhead Force at its core. Eight new headquarters in the eastern part of the Alliance. Four multinational battle-groups now deploying to the Baltic States and Poland. An enhanced presence in the Black Sea region. And strengthened cyber defences. We have also stepped up our cooperation with the European Union”, he said.
On Thursday, Heads of State and Government in NATO will meet in Brussels. It will bring together Allied leaders from all the 28 Allied countries, and send a strong message of unity and solidarity. “We will also dedicate two memorials at our new headquarters. Chancellor Merkel will dedicate the Berlin Wall Memorial. The segment of the wall represents the victory of freedom over oppression. The freedom that Allies continue to preserve every day. And President Trump will dedicate the 9/11 and Article 5 Memorial. This fragment of the World Trade Center recalls the first time Allies invoked our collective defence clause. Symbolising solidarity and our common fight against terrorism”, he noted.
ENDS
