KABUL - Heads of NATO member countries have said their presence in Afghanistan is needed and that they will continue their cooperation with the country.
They also asked all regional players to help with the Afghan security situation.
“In terms of NATO's response to counter terrorism, I believe that NATO is already doing a lot to support counter terrorism efforts. First being present and active in Afghanistan, then supporting a number of activities in the Mediterranean and the Middle East and we have to understand that counter terrorism isn't just a physical fight against terrorism; counter terrorism has a number of levels and facades and NATO is contributing to many of them and will contribute even more,” said General Petr Pavel Chairman of NATO Military Committee.
He said: “We are working on bringing these efforts more closely together, to give them more coherence and thus more effectiveness. NATO will continue supporting activities especially in training, in preparation of specialists of the countries mostly affected by terrorism and give them more local capabilities to be effective in this endeavor.”
He said it is important to work with Afghanistan to encourage all regional actors to play a constructive role and find a lasting solution.
This comes after the U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said that NATO is helping “in Afghanistan, Libya, and around the world, and also NATO is helping to protect our homeland and our people, which after all, is in the end what it's all about." (Tolonews)