‘Allies Will take Decisions on Future of Afghanistan Mission Together’: NATO

Amid indications the United States could withdraw at least some of its troops from Afghanistan, NATO Chief says the allies are in Afghanistan together  and that “will take decisions regarding the future of the mission together.”

Addressing a press conference on Thursday after the conclusion of NATO defense ministers’ two days of discussions in Brussels, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the situation in Afghanistan remains difficult. But he said they also see the ongoing peace process.

“Our Resolute Support Mission continues to train, advise and assist the Afghan security forces, as they fight terrorism and create the conditions for peace,” he said.

The United States is engaged in efforts to negotiate a peace deal between the Taliban and the Afghan government that would make room for reducing its military presence in Afghanistan.

The U.S. officials have said President Donald Trump wants to bring home about half of the 14,000 American troops from Afghanistan.

Recently, U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad met with Stoltenberg in Brussels, where him of about developments that occurred during several rounds of direct talks he has had in recent months with the Taliban representatives in Qatar.

Ambassador Khalilzad “has kept Allies closely updated of his efforts for a peace settlement,” Stoltenberg said. “We fully support those efforts. We continue to consult on the implications of a possible peace deal.”

“We are in this mission together. And we will take decisions regarding the future of the mission together. And of course, our military commanders are constantly assessing our posture, as they do for any NATO mission,” he added.