KABUL - NATO Secretary General Jeans Stoltenberg has said the cost of staying in Afghanistan was higher, but the cost of walking away would be much higher.
Stoltenberg, after his talks with Romanian prime minister, was addressing at the plenary session at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Bucharest.
Romania is contributing in many different ways, contributing to NATO operations in Afghanistan and in Kosovo. He said.
“Our Alliance has to face many different threats and challenges at the same time.”  Stoltenberg added.
He said, a pressing concern, of course, is the arc of instability from Afghanistan to the Middle East and North Africa. Which has inspired terrorist attacks in our own countries.
NATO has played a role in the fight against terrorism for many years. Stoltenberg
“Our largest ever military operation is in Afghanistan. Where today we have around 13,000 troops from 39 different NATO and partner countries training Afghan security forces. Helping them to fight terrorism and stabilize their own country.
“I have just returned from a trip to Afghanistan together with US Secretary of Defence Mattis.” He said adding. There is a renewed commitment to our efforts in Afghanistan.
“I have seen how well NATO troops are working with Afghan security forces.
Providing training and support to them. Helping them to make progress on the battlefield, and reduce their casualties,” He said.
NATO secretary general say, the situation in Afghanistan was challenging. We all understand the cost of staying in Afghanistan, the human cost and the financial cost. But the cost of walking away would be much higher.
If NATO leaves too soon, we risk Afghanistan returning to a state of chaos.
A safe haven for international terrorism. He said.
The last time that happened then it led to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States. In which almost 3000 people were killed.
“We cannot allow that to happen again. That is why we remain committed to Afghanistan. We are also stepping up elsewhere.”
The Alliance was now a full member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.