BRUSSELS – *NATO leaders are expected to extend funding for Afghan forcesbeyond 2020, the alliance’s Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said onTuesday ahead of the NATO summit in Brussels.*
The NATO summit will be held on Thursday in Brussels, where the alliance’sleaders are expected to reaffirm their support to Afghan defense andsecurity forces, Ariana News has reported.
“Our presence in Afghanistan is vital to ensuring the country never againbecomes a safe haven for international terrorism,” Stoltenberg said.
He said that NATO is increasing its commitment to Afghanistan both inforces and funding. He stressed that NATO has added around 3,000 moretrainers to its mission in Afghanistan.
“At the summit, I expect we will also agree to extend funding for theAfghan forces beyond 2020,” Stoltenberg said.
He added that the alliance’s leaders would express their full support forAfghan President Ghani’s “bold” peace initiative and his government’sreforms.
NATO chief’s remarks come as the Afghan government leaders – PresidentGhani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah – already left Kabul forBrussels to attend the summit. Afghan leaders are expected to meet withleaders of the countries supporting Afghanistan and discuss the currentsituation in their war-weary country.
“A number of issues are going to be addressed [at the summit] includingAfghanistan, transnational counter-terrorism efforts, support for the peaceprocess and fight against economic organized crime networks,” said ShahHussain Murtazawi, Deputy Spokesman of the President’s Office.
The official added that the outcomes of the NATO summit could be “highlyimportant” for Afghanistan.