Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Kabul (BNA) Before attending the NATO alliance members` foreign ministers meeting the NATO`s Secretary General Andres Fogh Rasmussen told reporters political progress in Afghanistan requires strong military pressure on Afghanistan enemies and terrorists should know that fighting won`t lead them to success.
The NATO Secretary General also expressed satisfaction over the strength and war capabilities of the Afghan national security forces and said that ANSF are capable of maintaining security in the country after 2014 the timeline set for withdrawal of foreign forces. He also argued on peace talks with the government armed opposition and lauded the Afghan government efforts for restoration of durable peace in the country but suggested that the peace and reconciliation process should be an Afghan led, peace talks and should take place with groups that accept and obey the democratic constitution of the Afghan government and respect the human rights. Taliban and other armed groups should sever ties with terrorists and circles loyal to them are they agree to the conditions we should give them a chance. It’s while Rasmussen after meeting with President Karzai, Pakistan military officials and US foreign secretary in a trilateral meeting on the sideline of NATO ministerial meeting held in Brussels considers a stable Afghanistan with sincere support from its neighboring countries. NATO Secretary General reiterated on the organization support after 2014 with the Afghan government in various spheres. Rasmussen in his meeting with President Karzai exchanged views on the modalities of NATO presence in Afghanistan after 2014. Rasmussen called the successful security transition process and taking over the security responsibility of Afghanistan by the Afghan national security forces a big achievement. Describing a prosperous and secure Afghanistan as the common objective of both NATO and Afghan government Rasmussen stated that NATO will continue to support Afghanistan beyond 2014. President Karzai pointed out that Afghan security forces are fully prepared to take over the security responsibility of their country and its people. However the president noted that a delegation should be constituted to continue talks on the modalities of the presence of NATO in Afghanistan after 2014. It`s while the NATO member countries have also promised and expressed their enthusiasm to assist Afghanistan in military and economy fields. For fostering of economic growth in the country we not only have natural resources and untapped mines worth trillion dollars but also many countries have shown willingness to invest in exploitation of these rich mineral resources.
