By KUNA
Bucharest : The high-level NATO meeting on Afghanistan emphasized the importance of working toward transferring the responsibility for security, development and reconstruction to the Kabul government.
This came in the final communique of the meeting, which concluded here Thursday night. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the NATO Summit.
The communique called on NATO members and organizations participating in the meeting to stand united in fulfilling the pledge they took to assist the Afghan people in their aspirations of a better future.
It reiterated the short and long-term pledges to help Afghanistan and support the leadership in order to achieve the international community’s goal of cooperation between Kabul and its neighbors, especially Pakistan.
There are 47,000 troops from 40 countries operating under the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.
The ISAF troop-contributing nations agreed on the Comprehensive Political-Military Strategic Plan for Afghanistan and the public declaration outlining ISAF’s Strategic Vision.
This declaration sets out a clear vision guided by four principles: a firm and shared long-term commitment; support for enhanced Afghan leadership and responsibility; a comprehensive approach by the international community, bringing together civilian and military efforts; and increased cooperation and engagement with Afghanistan’s neighbors, especially Pakistan.
The communique emphasized that neither the international community nor the Afghan government would allow extremist parties to regain control of the country, whether they be members of Al-Qaeda or Taliban.
It also stressed common values of liberty, democracy and human rights, as well as respecting the opinions of others and their beliefs, all needed to assist the Afghan people in building a secure and stable country.
The communique noted that the creation of a secure atmosphere by Kabul and the 40 countries taking part in the peacekeeping mission led to advancement in all spheres, including democratic practice, general living standards, national unity, reconstruction, health and education services, especially for women.
Despite there being security challenges and the fact that government institutions and the people were still under threat from terrorist attacks, it said there was a determination to curb this violence and to bring it under control.
Moreover, it said there was a clear security strategy that was based on raising the efficiency of Afghan forces so as to enable them to combat terrorism on their own, reiterating support for the government in implementing law on the long term.
The communique stressed the importance of providing training and necessary equipment for bringing Afghan forces to 80,000 by 2010.
Efforts will be directed at transferring security control to the Afghan forces all over the country, starting with Kabul, as soon as possible, it said.
It also noted the establishment of civil institutions working in the security field through NATO-Afghan cooperation programs, and assisting them in issuing laws for the protection of human rights while respecting culture and traditions.
The document also stressed the importance of securing for the coming elections, while continuing to support Kabul in its efforts to eliminate drug activities.
Furthermore, it welcomed UN Security Council Resolution 1806 on boosting the role of the UN in Afghanistan, and said NATO looked forward to cooperating with the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).
The communique also welcomed the Paris conference on Afghanistan, set to be held on June 12, which it said would boost international efforts for the assistance of Afghanistan. It called on the country’s neighbors to support reconstruction efforts.
The meeting was attended by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Afghan President Hamid Karzai, EU Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso. Also present were World Bank Managing Director Okonjo-Iweala, and Japan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sasae, as representatives of the largest donors to Afghanistan.