NATO defense ministers will meet on June 26 and 27 in Brussels to discuss a range of security issues including Afghanistan, the alliance said on Saturday.
Afghan Minister of Defense Assadullah Khalid and representatives from the UN, EU, and the World Bank have also been invited to the meeting, a NATO statement said.
“Afghanistan will be an important agenda item. “We have scheduled a dedicated meeting on June 27, with all NATO allies and all operational partners contributing to our Resolute Support Mission,” the statement added.
NATO’s Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan Ambassador Nicholas Kay and the commander of the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission will also attend the event.
The ministers are expected to exchange views on deterrence and defense, with focus on progress on burden-sharing. They are also likely to address Russia’s continuing violation of the INF Treaty, as well as the security implications of emerging technologies; with respect to the latter topic Finland, Sweden and the European Union are expected to join the discussion.
The alliance would reiterate its full support to US efforts to reach a peaceful settlement in Afghanistan and its continued commitment to the further development and sustainment of the Afghan security forces and institutions.
