KABUL - A high-profile summit would be held next month in Chicago, where NATO leaders are expected to work out their level of commitments to Afghanistan post 2014 -- when most foreign troops are slated to exit.
NATO would be hosting its 25th summit in US President Barack Obama's hometown from May 20-21, 2012, the alliance said in a statement on Monday.
"The summit will principally focus on three main themes: the alliance's commitment to Afghanistan through transition and beyond, ensuring it has the capabilities it needs to defend its population and territory," the statement added.

Thirdly, leaders would also discuss the challenges of the 21st century and strengthening NATO's network of partners across the globe.
The alliance renewed its commitment to supporting Afghanistan beyond 2014, when gradual transition of responsibility for the country's security will be fully implemented.

At Chicago, leaders will float proposals to make to ensure the country will never again be a base for global terrorism.
At the last summit in Lisbon two years ago, the transition strategy and the Enduring Partnership between NATO and Afghanistan were agreed.
That strategy remains in place to be completed by the end of 2014 with ISAF troops continuing to support the Afghan forces. The discussions will focus on the future funding of the Afghan forces.

Meanwhile, the spokesman for NATO's senior civilian representative said a number of opportunities where the consultations on what international forces would look like in Afghanistan after 2014 would become clearer.
In just over two weeks time, foreign and defense ministers from all 50 ISAF countries, including Zalmai Rassoul and Abdul Rahim Wardak, will meet at NATO headquarters in Brussels.

"What's important is that the joint efforts, the progress and achievements that have been made to date are not put at risk and are not in vain and that's why NATO is determined to see that jointly with Afghanistan and the international community a strong commitment still remains to Afghanistan in all the fields," he added. (Pajhwok)