BRUSSELS (SW) – NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said discussions are underway among Allies on how to maintain and support critical infrastructure, including the Kabul airport in Afghanistan.
He said this ahead of the Brussels Summit.
Responding to a question, he said NATO would continue to provide funding for Afghan security forces and provide out-of-country training for the Afghan security forces.
“And we’re also working on how can we maintain [and] support critical infrastructure, including the airport. NATO is planning to provide support and also some NATO Allies are now in direct dialogue, including the United States and Turkey and others, on how to make sure that we can maintain an international airport in Kabul”, he said.
Taliban warn Turkey against keeping troops in Afghanistan
Turkey postpones Afghan peace conference in Istanbul
Stoltenberg further said this remained important for NATO Allies and the whole international community for diplomatic presence and for continued development aid. “So, in essence, we have been there for almost 20 years. The intention was never to be there forever. We are clear-eyed about the risks that the decision to end our military presence entails, but at the same time, we will continue to support the Afghans”, he stressed.
The Taliban last week warned against keeping troops of any country in Afghanistan for the proposed security of Kabul airport after withdrawal of the international forces. In a statement issued on Saturday, the group declared that the presence of any foreign forces is ‘unacceptable’.
“Every inch of Afghan soil, its airports and security of foreign embassies and diplomatic officers is the responsibility of the Afghans, consequently no one should hold out hope of keeping military or security presence in our country, nor should steps be taken that could strain relations between people and countries”, it said.
Earlier this month, Turkish officials said Ankara made the proposal to run Kabul airport at a NATO meeting in May when the US and its partners agreed a plan to withdraw troops by September 11 after 20 years of war trying to defeat Taliban forces, the TRT reported.
ENDS
