NATO, Afghanistan ready to open new chapter, NATO SG says

KABUL, Nov 06 (NNI): The NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday that the alliance is ready to open a new chapter in its relationship with Afghanistan.

Appearing in a press conference together with President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, the NATO Secretary General said the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) has achieved what it set out to do.

He said, “We have made our nations safer by pursuing the international terrorists who used Afghanistan as a safe haven to launch horrific attacks. And we have made Afghanistan stronger by helping to build capable national security forces.”

Mr. Stoltenberg further added, “Next year, we will open a new chapter. The future of Afghanistan will be in Afghan hands. But our support will continue.”

“Together, we have created the conditions for a better future for Afghan men, women and children”, he said. “This progress has come at great cost. To NATO, our partners, and to Afghanistan. We will hold those who lost their lives in our memory. And we must honor them by remaining committed to our common efforts.”

Stoltenberg arrived in Afghanistan following an unannouned visit to Afghanistan to take stock of the progress made during the 13 year ISAF mission and launch of the new Resolute Support mission on January 1.

NATO will launched a new non-combat mission – Resolute Support mission to train, advise and assist Afghan security forces as of January 1, 2015. The NATO-led ISAF mission will end on 31 December 2014. NNI