
Belgium: NATO expects "to maintain a presence in Afghanistan" - Stoltenberg
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stated that he expects NATO officials to decide to "maintain a presence in Afghanistan even after the end of our current mission" to help train, advise and assist the Afghan security forces during a news conference in Brussels, Monday, two days ahead of the NATO foreign ministers meeting in Antalya.
He went on to praise the role the Afghan soldiers and police have played in recent times, having taken "responsibility for security at start of this year," but asserted that NATO will continue to support and stand by them.
Wednesday's NATO foreign ministers meeting in Antalya is set to be hosted by Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and will last until Thursday. High on the agenda at the meeting are topics including the perceived threats to NATO's southern border, according to a Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement. Other topics expected to be discussed are the Middle East, NATO's relationship with Ukraine and the situation in Afghanistan.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stated that he expects NATO officials to decide to "maintain a presence in Afghanistan even after the end of our current mission" to help train, advise and assist the Afghan security forces during a news conference in Brussels, Monday, two days ahead of the NATO foreign ministers meeting in Antalya.
He went on to praise the role the Afghan soldiers and police have played in recent times, having taken "responsibility for security at start of this year," but asserted that NATO will continue to support and stand by them.
Wednesday's NATO foreign ministers meeting in Antalya is set to be hosted by Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and will last until Thursday. High on the agenda at the meeting are topics including the perceived threats to NATO's southern border, according to a Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement. Other topics expected to be discussed are the Middle East, NATO's relationship with Ukraine and the situation in Afghanistan.