WARSAW - The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is committed to strengthening the Afghan armed forces to combat terrorists in the country, said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
He said in an interview with TOLOnews in Warsaw that NATO is trying to reduce casualties among Afghan security and defense forces by providing military training to the country's troops.
"Afghanistan is important for NATO because the stability of their country is important for Afghans. It is also important for NATO member countries. We have to prevent Afghanistan once again becoming a safe haven for international terrorists. Therefor we will continue to work with and support Afghanistan because it is good for Afghanistan and for the security of NATO allies," Stoltenberg said.
He said NATO will support all efforts by the Afghan government for peace.
"NATO strongly supports all efforts to find a negotiated peaceful solution. It also supports efforts to achieve reconciliation. One element in that process is the need for political dialogue and contact between Afghanistan and Pakistan as well as with other regional contacts the Afghan unity government is engaged. These political efforts have to be Afghan-owned and Afghan-led," he said.
He said high casualties among Afghans security and defense forces is a serious challenge and that the international community's continued support is aimed at strengthening the troops and building up their professional capacity.(Tolonews)