WASHINGTON - Ongoing moves to transfer responsibility for security in Afghanistan to the Asian country's security forces will be top of the agenda at the next NATO summit.
Speaking during a visit to the USA, Alliance Secretary General Anders Fogh-Rasmussen said the meeting – in Chicago next May – will be an opportunity to review the progress made.

The Secretary General added: "This will be an important summit, following up on the decisions taken at Lisbon last year, but also breaking new ground."

Although the full agenda for the event has not yet been finalized, NATO's Enduring Partnership with Afghanistan – agreed in Portugal – will be a key point.

Alliance-trained Afghan forces have begun to take the lead responsibility for security in the country, and that transition is on track to be completed in 2014.

But Mr. Fogh-Rasmussen said that Afghanistan would not be neglected after transition. "We will stay committed, with a focus on continuing to train and educate Afghan security forces, to continue to improve their capacity," he added.

Meanwhile, moves to protect NATO territories against ballistic missile threats are also set to be discussed – as well as possible co-operation with Russia on the initiative.

Mr. Fogh-Rasmussen said he expected to be able to declare interim operational capability in Chicago, adding that this would be "a significant step".

He was also optimistic of breaking new ground in NATO's partnership with other countries and organizations in North Africa and the Middle East, adding that there were "many positive lessons learnt" from operations in Libya.

The Chicago meeting will be the first NATO summit in the United States since 1999 when the Alliance celebrated its 50th anniversary in Washington. (Agencies)