The report was sent to the Pasbanan Media Group (PMG News) by Lailuma Sadid, a freelance journalist in Belgium. Speaking at the NATO Secretary General’s virtual press conference, Mrs. Sadid said that hopes for maintaining the achievements of the last two decades in Afghanistan had increased more than ever; As the Secretary-General of NATO has emphasized that after their withdrawal from Afghanistan, this organization will continue to support the Afghan government. More details in Mrs. Sadid’s report.

NATO will continue its support and cooperation after the withdrawal of international troops from Afghanistan, but this support will not be a military option; Rather, NATO is expected to continue its civilian collaboration in Afghanistan. The Secretary-General has said that the security situation in the country is still complicated and challenging. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg made the remarks at a virtual news conference.

Leaders of the 30 NATO member states are scheduled to meet in Brussels in two weeks, and US President Joe Biden will attend the NATO summit for the first time, which Brussels will withness this occasion on 6/14/2021.

In this virtual press conference, NATO foreign and defense ministers discussed various issues such as Afghanistan, developments in Ukraine, Belarus, the future of the NATO Initiative for 2030, Europe and North America, and the security implications of climate change.

The question raised by Lailuma Sadid about concerns over rising insecurity in Afghanistan, Mr. Stoltenberg added: “The security situation in Afghanistan is complicated and challenging. Of course, the decision to withdraw our troops carries risks. But there is no easy way to progress; with our presence, we will create more dangers for our partners, more wars, more casualties, and the need to increase the number of troops until we decided to complete our mission in a few weeks. I think we need to understand that our goal was never to stay in Afghanistan forever.”

“In recent years, we have reduced the presence of at least 100,000 NATO troops stationed in Afghanistan to 10,000 at the beginning of this year, and now we are reducing our military mission to zero,” he said. But we are increasing our support for Afghanistan in other ways. “We will maintain a civilian presence in Afghanistan to advise and build capacity for Afghan security forces. Furthermore, we will fund Afghan security forces.

In addition, we intend to provide overseas training for security forces,” he was quoted as saying. ” We are also working with our partners and Afghanistan on how to maintain critical infrastructures, such as airport management and other important substructure, which is important for the continued presence of the international community in Afghanistan.”

“Let me add that at some point, the Afghan security forces have to take full responsibility for the present and the future of their country, while the courage and capabilities of the Afghan security forces are commendable, but there is no doubt that The security situation is difficult, but the only way to achieve lasting peace in Afghanistan is a peace process led and owned by Afghans.

He did not comment on US military bases outside Afghanistan. Still, He said: “We are looking at how we can end our military presence in Afghanistan and provide overseas training for Afghan security forces. I do not underestimate the challenges. We have been there for 20 years, but we will continue to provide financial support because several ministers are committed to continuing to help Afghanistan.”

The United States and NATO entered Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks on New York City. But last month, US President Joe Biden delayed the withdrawal of troops from May 1 to September 11 this year, before the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, citing the security situation.

Jens Stoltenberg added that from the point of view of development cooperation in all diplomatic missions, NGOs help them to continue their civilian but diplomatic support. But, unfortunately, we see an increase in attacks and brutal violence against schools, children, young girls, innocent civilians, who are the victims of this senseless violence that we see again and again in Afghanistan.