NATO to begin ‘new phase of campaign’ in Afghanistan after 2014 transition: Official
January 26th, 2011 - 2:50 pm ICT by ANIHelsinki (Finland), Jan 26 (ANI): A senior NATO official has claimed his organisation and the countries taking part in operations in Afghanistan would not leave the country even after handing over security responsibilities to Afghan forces in 2014.
NATO’s Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan Mark Sedwill made the remarks at a joint press conference with Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb after the two held a meeting at Helsinki in Finland.
Xinhua quoted Sedwill as saying that the transfer of power in 2014 will not be the end of NATO’s operation in Afghanistan, but the beginning of a new phase of the campaign.
NATO also claimed that the participatory countries would continue to be present in Afghanistan, but only the role of NATO troops will change.
Sedwill insisted that a long-term partnership between Afghanistan and the international community would be required even after 2014 to nurture Afghan security forces, and for the country’s socio-economic development.
Stubb said that the transition in 2014 does not mean a withdrawal, adding, “We will be there as long as we are needed and required.”
Last November, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen had announced that NATO would start handing over control to Afghan security forces from the beginning of 2011 and the transition will be completed by the end of 2014. (ANI)
- NATO to remain in Afghanistan after 2014 - Jan 26, 2011
- 'NATO combat operations in Afghanistan to last till 2014' - Feb 03, 2012
- NATO endorses Obama's exit plan from Afghanistan - May 22, 2012
- NATO to continue military pressure on Haqqani network - Nov 03, 2011
- Pakistan backs NATO's 2014 Afghanistan handover deadline - Nov 22, 2010
- Violence not affecting Afghan transition: NATO chief - Feb 29, 2012
- Afghan security forces must be sustainable: NATO - Jan 19, 2012
- NATO for phased transfer of security responsibility to Afghans by 2014 - Nov 21, 2010
- NATO on course for planned Afghan withdrawal: Merkel - May 05, 2012
- NATO summit kicks off in Chicago - May 21, 2012
- Afghanistan could face 'eye-watering violence' after foreign troops leave: Mark Sedwill - Nov 18, 2010
- NATO military presence foments Afghan violence: Iran - Jul 20, 2010
- NATO asks Pakistan to open transit routes - Apr 20, 2012
- US may reposition instead of "withdrawing" troops from Afghanistan: NATO official - Sep 08, 2010
- Zardari-NATO chief meet postponed due to plane delay - May 20, 2012
Tags: afghanistan, alexander, alexander stubb, anders fogh rasmussen, economic development, foreign minister, helsinki finland, joint press conference, last november, nato, nato official, nato secretary general, nato troops, security forces, security responsibilities, term partnership, transition, xinhua