Discussions were held against the background of the recent NATO Defence Ministerial meetings held on 9 and 10 October 2012 at NATO HQ. With respect to Afghanistan, Defence Ministers and their counterparts from ISAF-partner nations concluded the first stage of planning for the NATO-led training, advisory and assistance mission in Afghanistan, which is to replace the current combat mission in 2015.
"We remain committed to transition full security responsibility to the Afghan National Security Forces by the end of 2014. And we will not abandon Afghanistan at the end of 2014. On the contrary, we will remain engaged for the long haul," said Ambassador Grabar-Kitarovic.
"We recognize the achievements made so far and we want these to be further advanced, especially with respect to the rights of women," pointed out Ms. Nazifa Zaki, Afghan Member of Parliament. "The world should not anymore witness girls facing the risk of their faces being spread with acid whilst they are pursuing their fundamental human rights," she said.
"As representatives of the Afghan population, we value the importance of a continued dialogue with NATO. And we are ready to convey to the Afghan people the message that NATO will stay committed in Afghanistan, throughout the end of 2014 and beyond that," remarked Mr. Mohammadi Akbari, Afghan Member of Parliament.
The visit was organized by NATO's Public Diplomacy Division, in cooperation with the European Parliament and the East-West Institute.
11 Oct. 2012
Afghan Members of Parliament reassured of NATO's long-term commitment in Afghanistan
On 11 October 2012, six distinguished members of the Afghan Lower House visited NATO HQ. The visiting delegation included parliamentarians from different Afghan provinces. During their visit, they met with several high-level officials from NATO's International Staff, including Ambassador Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy.
