NATO to prolong mission in Afghanistan

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has decided to extend its Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan after 2016, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced at the alliance's Warsaw Summit here on Saturday.

"Afghanistan still faces serious instability and violence, so our continued political, military and financial engagement is of great importance," he said.

He added the NATO forces will continue to train, advise and aid the security forces in Afghanistan. The Resolute Support Mission, a non-combat mission, will aim at providing enough help and support to the Afghan forces, who are already responsible for maintaining security in the country.

"We received firm national commitments to continue funding Afghan security forces through 2020", he said, adding "we reaffirmed our support for a long-term political partnership and practical cooperation with Afghanistan."

According to Stoltenberg, NATO allies have promised at the summit to fund Afghan forces about 1 billion U.S. dollars annually over the next three years.

While pledging more support, Stoltenberg called on the Afghan government to implement reforms, root out corruption and respect human rights.

Saturday marks the second day of the NATO Warsaw Summit, which begins with a session on Afghanistan's situation. Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani and Prime Minister Abdullah Abdullah were present at the session.
Source:XINHUA