KABUL - NATO Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan Cornelius Zimmermann has stressed timely holding of upcoming election, saying, “With transparent polls, people’s trust in the democratic process increases.”
Zimmermann made the remarks during a meeting with a number of Afghan journalists at his office here.
He said the new US strategy on Afghanistan encouraged NATO member countries to enhance their support. 
Zimmermann said NATO provided training to Afghan forces under the framework of the Resolute Support mission in the country and they shared their experiences with the Afghan forces to help them become more professional and effective.
The NATO representative while referring to the recent bombing in Wazir Akbar Khan diplomatic enclave of Kabul said, “Still threats exist in Afghanistan.”
He said the number of troops of their Training Mission in Afghanistan would be raised but they would never take part in war because their combat mission had ended and they now pursued only the training mission.
Zimmermann went on to say that NATO wasn’t merely a defence organization but it also played an active role in supporting democracy, good governance and reconciliation.
“We support the Afghan unity government in every aspect. The government leaders should assume their responsibilities and honor their promises of bringing reforms.”
Regarding corruption, he said the culture of impunity should be eradicated in Afghanistan; every person who indulged in graft must be punished.
Zimmermann welcomed the trial and punishment of corrupt and graft-tainted individuals by Afghanistan’s judicial organs and courts; however, he called for more work in this regard. “Corruption is a danger for the whole Afghan society.”
Zimmermann also announced NATO support to the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections, adding the polls should be transparent and inclusive in order to restore the confidence of Afghans’.
Zimmerman emphasized the important role of the neighboring countries in Afghanistan peace; however, he said, some regional countries didn’t cooperate in this regard.
He stressed Pakistan’s role and cooperation in Afghan peace, saying the country could do a lot in this regard.
The NATO representative stressed intra-Afghan peace process and termed signing of peace pact by the Hezb-i-Islami Afghanistan (HIA) with Afghan government as a ‘good step’. “If well implemented the peace deal with HIA can serve as a model for possible reconciliation with the Taliban.”
He said whoever abided by the Afghanistan Constitution and women’s rights should be invited to peace and reconciled. (Pajhwok)