İsmail Aramaz, Turkish diplomat appointed as NATO (SCR) in Afghanistan

ISAF and NATO authorities announced on Monday that General Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary-General has appointed İsmail Aramaz, the Turkish diplomat as the new NATO senior civilian representative (SCR) in Afghanistan.

Ambassador Aramaz’ distinguished service as Turkey’s ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and his previous experience as Political Advisor to the ISAF commander from 2002 to 2003 make him supremely qualified for the NATO senior civilian representative position, ISAF said in a statement.

Aramaz has become the second Turkish official to be appointed to the position. In 2003, former deputy HikmetÇetin was appointed to the same post. He handed over his post to Daan W. Everts in 2006.

In the statement released by ISAF, NATO and ISAF also extend their profound appreciation to Ambassador Jochems for the vital role he has played in supporting NATO’s efforts in Afghanistan since 2012.

As ISAF prepares for the end of its combat mission and the full transfer of security responsibility to the Afghan National Security Forces, preparations for the implementation of the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission on 1 January continue, as agreed with the Afghan government.