NATO welcomes signing of security agreements with Afghanistan

BRUSSELS, Sept 30 (KUNA) -- Outgoing NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen Tuesday welcomed the signature of the Bilateral Security Agreement between the United States and Afghanistan and of the Status of Forces Agreement between NATO and Afghanistan.
"The conclusion of these agreements opens a new chapter for cooperation between NATO, our partners, and the Afghan National Security Forces," he said in a statement.
Rasmussen noted that as the ISAF mission is completed at the end of this year, the NATO Status of Forces Agreement provides the legal basis for our new mission to train, advise and assist the Afghan security forces.
The signing of today's agreements means that this new NATO-led mission, called Resolute Support, can start on 1 January 2015, as planned, he said.
"Moreover, we remain committed to help finance the Afghan security forces through 2017, to help Afghanistan to further strengthen its institutions, and to further develop our political and practical cooperation with Afghanistan through our Enduring Partnership," stated the NATO chief.
He also warmly congratulated President Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai and Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah as they assume their duties.
"They enter office at a pivotal moment for Afghanistan. We will continue to stand with them and with the Afghan people for a secure, stable and prosperous Afghanistan," he added.
Meanwhile, the incoming Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, will take up his duties on Wednesday. He will hold a press conference tomorrow at NATO headquarters. (end) nk.mt