WARSAW - The NATO summit of heads of states and governments in Poland on Saturday pledged to standby Afghanistan and not allow the country to become safe heavens for terrorists again.
In a joint declaration at the two-day Warsaw summit, the alliance members said Afghanistan continued to make advances, including in democratic processes, education, healthcare, human rights including those of women, and free media since Wales Summit with the support of the international community.
The alliance also acknowledged Afghanistan still faced serious challenges and further efforts were needed to fully safeguard and consolidate joint achievements.
The advances included in areas such as electoral reforms, empowerment of women, combating corruption, countering narcotics trafficking, and to ensure a stable security environment, job creation, and improve economic opportunities, which would have an important impact on migration,” the declaration said.
It added since January 2015, the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces maintained full responsibility for security throughout the country.
At the request of the Afghan National Unity Government, the non-combat, conditions-based NATO’s RS mission provided training, advice and assistance to allow Afghanistan to continue to build professionally trained and well equipped defence and security forces which demonstrated remarkable resilience and courage in meeting the challenges they faced.
While the Afghan Security Institutions and forces continued to develop and make progress, challenges and capability gaps persisted, and they continue to need international support.
NATO and its operational partners renewed their commitments and decided to sustain RS mission beyond 2016 through a flexible, regional model, to continue to deliver training, advice and assistance to the Afghan Security Institutions including the police, the air force and special operations forces.
NATO would continue to keep the mission and its configuration under review and continue national contributions to the financial sustainment of the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces, including until the end of 2020.
The alliance would urge the wider international community to remain engaged in the financial sustainment of the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces.
To strengthen and enhance the Enduring Partnership between NATO and Afghanistan established at the 2010 Lisbon Summit, to further develop the alliance long-term partnership including through political dialogue and practical cooperation.
NATO stressed the need for good neighborly relations and regional cooperation and support to a secure and stable Afghanistan, remained essential.
The alliance would welcome the role played by the Istanbul Process in supporting the Heart of Asia region which included Afghanistan. A stable and prosperous Afghanistan would support a stable and prosperous region, the declaration said.
The joint declaration reaffirmed its belief that an inclusive Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process, which respected the Afghan constitution and human rights, including notably the rights of women, was the pathway to a sustainable resolution of the conflict.
The region and the international community at large must respect and support such a process and its outcome.
“The NATO-led efforts contribute to the wider international efforts, and we look forward to the Brussels Conference on Afghanistan in October this year.”
“Our task is not yet complete, and we remain resolute and united in our commitment to a secure and stable Afghanistan,” read the declaration.(Pajhwok)