The Chiefs of the General Staff of NATO’s member countries and Strategic NATO commanders gathered for 170th NATO Chiefs of Defence meeting in Brussels, to discuss the future of operations in Afghanistan.
The two-day meeting which started on Wednesday, will also focus on NATO’s future operation in Kosovo, partnership with Russia, as well as the Alliance’s large-scale exercises in 2015.
Chairman of the Military Committee, General Knud Bartels said, a meeting will be held with the NATO partners for the current ISAF operartion in Afghanistan, which will be briefed by SACEUR, NATO’s Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan and COMMANDER ISAF.
Gen. Bartels said NATO remains committed to the development of the Afghan National Security Forces during it’s mission which will be completed within the next 11 months.
He said a particular focus will be made on the preparations for the forthcoming Afghan presidential elections.
“In our meeting to discuss the post 2014 RESOLUTE SUPPORT mission in Afghanistan, we will be joined by representatives from the now 10 Partner Nations that have so far committed to supporting this Mission,” Gen. Bartels said.
He also added, “NATO is currently working with the Afghan authorities to establish the legal framework of the RESOLUTE SUPPORT Mission and as such we will continue to develop our plans so that we are ready to deliver when required.
Today, we will therefore take stock of our planning and preparation for the delivery on the Train Advise and Assist Mission after 2014, to support the continuing development of credible, capable and sustainable Afghan Security forces.”
Gen. Bartels said, NATO will also seek agreement on a Work Plan for cooperation in 2014 and consider some practical examples of cooperation between NATO and Russia through the Cooperative Airspace Initiative and the implementation of the Afghanistan Helicopter Trust Fund.
