I welcome President Obama’s announcement that the
United States will maintain its current troop levels in Afghanistan
through 2016 and will retain a substantial presence beyond 2016.
This important decision paves the way for a sustained
presence by NATO Allies and partners in Afghanistan. It demonstrates the
continued commitment by NATO Allies and our partners towards
Afghanistan. In the coming weeks,...
the Alliance will take key decisions
about the future scope of the Resolute Support Mission. The significant
US contribution will be an important factor as we consider the way
ahead.
The Afghan security forces continue to carry out their security
responsibilities across the country, in a very challenging
environment. So it's crucial that we continue to support them,
practically and financially, to preserve the gains we have achieved in
Afghanistan through our joint efforts over many years.
