Afghanistan and NATO signed an agreement on the status of the international military presence
Almaty. October 1. Silkroadnews - The Afghan government and the leadership of the Alliance have signed an agreement on the status of the international military presence on Afghan territory, reports AfTAG.
The signing ceremony was attended by Advisor to the President of Afghanistan's national security, ex-Interior Minister Hanif Atmar and Ambassador James Cunningham in Kabul, as well as NATO Senior Civilian Representative Maurits Dzhohems. In addition, the ceremony was attended by a delegation of the Afghan leadership, which included President Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai and Prime Minister Abdullah Abdullah.
According to the agreement on the status of the international NATO forces in Afghanistan next year will be a little over 2 thousand soldiers. They will advise local security forces in the fight against terrorism.
The President of Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai says that "agreement with the United States and NATO is in the best interest of Afghanistan". The President also urged neighboring countries not to worry about the continued American military presence on Afghan territory.
"Their goal is to ensure our safety. It is not a threat to anyone. Afghan leadership, including former head of state, Hamid Karzai, has examined each letter of the document and make sure that it is aimed at protecting our country. Do not worry - night raids and house searches of civilians came to an end",- said the president of Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen described the signing of bilateral agreements with Afghanistan, the United States and NATO as a new chapter in cooperation between the Alliance and its partners with Kabul.
A.Rasmussen also reaffirmed "the commitment of the alliance help finance the Afghan security forces until 2017, support for the further strengthening of public institutions in the country and the development of political and practical cooperation with Afghanistan through long-term partnership".
