Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary-General of NATO in a meeting with Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Turkish Foreign minister said, that NATO will address the future of its training mission in Afghanistan by February 2021.
Jens Stoltenberg also reiterated that the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation will support the Afghan peace process.
He added, that “whatever path we choose, it is important that we do so together, in a coordinated and deliberate way”.
The international organization will also support the Afghan peace process and stands ready to adjust its presence in the region.
“NATO supports the Afghan peace talks and, as part of this process, stands ready to further adjust its presence,” Jens added.
According to NATO, the agenda is also planned for the expansion of NATO’s Training Mission in Iraq to help ensure ISIS never returns.
Stoltenberg also welcomed the continuation of NATO-brokered talks between Turkey and Greece on a military deconfliction mechanism in the Eastern Mediterranean. “The de-confliction mechanism has helped to reduce tensions and create the space for political discussions to resolve the underlying issues. I also welcome the Exploratory Talks taking place in Istanbul next week.”, the Secretary-General said.
Previously NATO had declared that their Resolute Support mission will be ongoing in Afghanistan.
On the other hand, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Pakistan’s foreign minister called on American President Joe Biden to follow up the Afghan peace process.
Aljazeera quoted Qureshi saying “I think they should realise there is an opportunity in Afghanistan and they should persevere with what was initiated and not reverse things”, he added in regards to US troops withdrawal that “We are concerned because we feel violence can vitiate the climate,”.
“Pakistan has done a lot, we have really bent backwards to create an environment to facilitate the peace process,” Aljazeera quoted Qureshi.
The Pakistani prime minister blamed internal spoilers for the violence escalation.
This comes as violence has intensified and surged in Afghanistan, and many innocent civilians suffer from a lack of insecurity and overall instability.
