BRUSSELS (SW) – Mark Esper, Defense Secretary of the United States, has said Washington is looking to optimize force structure and keep sustainable force in Afghanistan.
He said this after the second day of NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels. The U.S. Defense Secretary stressed the NATO remains committed to Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan, and the best way to reach its objectives is through enduring political settlement of the conflict.
He added the NATO Allies as well as the Afghan government have been consulted on the issues of optimizing the force structure in Afghanistan. He added reduction in violence is essential for the resumption of the peace process to be restarted.
Speaking ahead of him, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also raised the same point. “Of course, we have constantly adjusted the size of our troops in Afghanistan to optimize, and we would continue to do that and also to ensure that the mission remains sustainable”, he said while responding to a question by Salam Watandar.
“NATO supported the peace talks earlier this year, and I would welcome them being resumed,” said the Secretary General. He added that in order to reach a credible peace deal, the Taliban need to make real compromises.
ENDS
