Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State on Tuesday said that troops’ poll out will be done in consultation with NATO allies.
While addressing a joint press conference in Brussels with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg ahead of the Foreign Ministers meeting, he indicated the U.S military withdrawal deadline is still underway and no decision will be taken without the presence of NATO allies.
Blinken also pledged that the US is committed to “rebuild and revitalize” the NATO military alliance and share the initial US findings on Afghanistan with NATO.
“We have a review underway in the United States. I am here in part to share some of our initial thinking with our NATO allies but maybe even more important, I am here to listen and consult because that is what allies do.” Blinken said.
He said that that he is in Brussels to “ listen and Consult”, Blinken added, “We went in together, we adjusted together and when the time is right we will leave together,” adding that it is a common word and theme which is “together”.
The consultation on the way forward should be done as an Alliance, according to Blinken.
“We are united with our NATO allies in seeking to bring a responsible end to this conflict and to remove our troops from harm’s way, just as we are collectively determined to ensure that Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists who could threaten the United States or our allies”, Blinken said.
Stoltenberg during the conference hinted that peace negotiations are fragile and it is the only way to achieve prolonged peace in Afghanistan.
“To achieve this all parties must negotiate in good faith and all actors in region need to be involved,” Stoltenberg said.
He stressed that the Taliban must sever ties with terrorist organizations, stop supporting international terrorism, and reduce violence in Afghanistan.
According to Stoltenberg NATO has the excellent opportunity to sit with its 30 allies for consulting the Afghan peace process and the way forward.
NATO needs to “consult, to coordinate and make decisions together,”, Stoltenberg said.
