The NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at a press conference on Friday following the defense minister’s meeting said that the allies had discussed the peace process in Afghanistan.
“We have just finished a meeting on Afghanistan with all our operational partners in the Resolute Support Mission,” Stoltenberg said, “NATO remains committed. And we continue to support the Afghan security forces with training and funding.”
He said the training and funding of the Afghan forces will aid the fight against “international terrorism” and create the conditions for peace.
“But in order to make that (peace) possible, the Taliban need to demonstrate real willingness to make real compromises. To reach a credible peace deal.” Stoltenberg said.
The Secretary General praised the Afghan forces for aiding in the security for the election, and added that the next step was to allow the election results to be tallied.
“All parties should now exercise calm and restraint as the electoral bodies work to determine the result,” he said.
US Defense Secretary Mark Esper at the same conference said the Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan continues to build the capability of the Afghan forces.
“The NATO alliance remains fully committed to the Resolute Support mission,“ said Esper, but “our goal is to maintain a sustainable force” that meets the requirements of the mission.
