The visit provided an opportunity to exchange views on a number of aspects related to the Afghan-owned process of bringing lasting security in Afghanistan. These included the implementation of the process of transition to full Afghan security responsibility, the stated commitment by the Alliance to remain engaged in Afghanistan after 2014 in a training and assistance capacity for the Afghan National Security Forces, and the prospects for enhanced Afghan cooperation with regional actors.
"Many achievements have been made in Afghanistan. One of the several key drivers in this regard is represented by the activism and courage displayed by Afghan women. We must maintain momentum and move forward in this respect. We thus very much welcome the reaffirmed commitment undertaken by the International Community as a whole to remain engaged in Afghanistan for the long term, with the aim to further Afghanistan' stability and economic development," said Ambassador Tandar.
Ambassador Grabar remarked, "We are at a critical juncture of our common effort in Afghanistan. Many challenges are still ahead of us. But several pivotal building blocs exist to address them. We are determined, for our own security, to ensure that Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists. The process of transition to full Afghan security responsibility is on track, as testified by the fact that currently more than 75% of the Afghan population lives in areas where the Afghan National Security Forces are in the lead of security operations. The recent NATO Summit in Chicago has stated clearly that NATO will stay committed to Afghanistan after 2014. And the Tokyo Conference last July sent a clear signal of solid commitment of continued civilian aid assistance."
The visit was organised by NATO's Public Diplomacy Division, in cooperation with the Dutch Clingendael Institute for International Relations.
