Opening remarks by the NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the Secretary General’s Monthly Press Conference held in Brussels
NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
04 Jul. 2013
Opening remarks
by the NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the Secretary General’s Monthly Press Conference held in Brussels
Good afternoon.
I have just returned from Kosovo.
Together with the ambassadors of all 28 NATO countries, our partners in KFOR, and European Union representatives, I visited our troops and thanked them for the great job they are doing. I met local leaders and I visited the Pec Patriarchate, which KFOR has protected for many years, but which will soon be protected by local police.
I have visited Kosovo many times. And what I saw yesterday was clear progress on the ground, and a real sense of optimism in the people.
There is progress in terms of security, as the situation generally remains calm and stable. There is progress in the ability of the local authorities to maintain law and order, and to provide security for cultural and religious sites. And there is progress politically.
Je salue la décision de l’Union européenne d’entamer des pourparlers d’adhésion avec la Serbie et des négociations avec le Kosovo sur un accord de stabilisation et d’association. Ces décisions montrent que le dialogue est la voie à suivre. Je ne doute pas que l’accord entre Belgrade et Pristina sera mis en application de manière concrète et cohérente.
And KFOR will continue to play its role by ensuring a safe and secure environment for all people in Kosovo. This is a time of great opportunity for the whole region. And I urge all leaders and all communities to seize the opportunity and continue on the path of Euro-Atlantic integration.
Now let me turn to Afghanistan.
Two weeks ago, I stood at President Karzai’s side as he announced that the Afghan security forces will now take the lead for providing security right across the country.
This is a turning point for Afghanistan, and for ISAF.
For Afghanistan, it means that a key goal is in sight: a country where security is provided by Afghans, for Afghans. It means that decisions on when, how and where to act will be taken by the Afghan government and carried out by its army and police.
For ISAF, it means that we will no longer plan, lead or execute combat operations. But we will continue to help the Afghan troops on such operations, when needed. We will remain ready for combat until the end of 2014.
By any standards, this transition is remarkable progress.
Remember that, ten years ago, there were no Afghan national security forces. Five years ago, they were a fraction of their current strength. Two and a half years ago, at the Lisbon Summit, when we agreed with President Karzai on the roadmap for transition, some questioned whether it could be done.
We have shown that it can be done. And it is being done. Time and again, we have seen the Afghan forces stepping up to the challenges they are facing and managing them with ability and resolve. They have dealt quickly and competently with complex insurgent attacks without ISAF assistance while they still have work to do. We will continue to develop their skills, and their institutions and at the end of 2014, we will not close the book on Afghanistan. We will open a new chapter, with a smaller non-combat mission, to train, advise and assist the Afghan forces.
So this can also be a turning point for the enemies of Afghanistan.
The old Taliban saying that “you have the clocks, we have the time” no longer holds. And the Taliban can’t just wait us out.
The Afghan security forces are strong, and getting stronger. They are getting support and sustainment not just now, but for years to come. As they stand ready to sustain the progress of the past ten years, the international community will continue to stand with them.
And with that I am ready to take your questions.
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