Resolute Support Mission to Continue in Afghanistan: Jens. Stoltenberg
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg accentuated on continuation of Resolute Support Mission (RSM) in Afghanistan during a press conference, ahead of the meeting of Foreign Ministers in Brussels.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg accentuated on continuation of Resolute Support Mission (RSM) in Afghanistan during a press conference, ahead of the meeting of Foreign Ministers in Brussels.
It is important for NATO to keep its presence in Afghanistan because we have to prevent the country from once again becoming a platform for terrorist attacks against our own countries,” said NATO Secretary General.
The remarks come as US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said he is focused on finding an end to the war in Afghanistan, but that doesn’t involve withdrawing U.S. military forces from the country soon.
“We are going to stand with the 41 nations, largest wartime coalition in history, who are still committed to this effort,” Mattis said at the Reagan National Defense Forum on Saturday.
NATO secretary General, meanwhile, said that we must continue to ensure that Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for international terrorists. Over the past months, we have stepped up our support – with more forces and funding.
“If NATO and its allies left Afghanistan, we have to be prepared that there is a high risk that the Taliban will come back and that different terrorist organizations will be able to gain ground and establish strong footholds in Afghanistan,” Mr Stoltenberg added.
“We have to compare the cost of staying and exit from Afghanistan. Daesh and other insurgent groups will get strong and will threaten us,” Stoltenberg said.
