NATO will not leave Afghanistan before the time is right, chief of the alliance said Monday.
“While no Ally wants to stay in Afghanistan longer than necessary, we will not leave before the time is right,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in a press conference ahead of NATO ministerial meeting.
“Ministers will continue to assess the situation on the ground and monitor developments very closely,” he said.
Stoltenberg said that NATO strongly supports the peace process in Afghanistan, as it is the best chance for a lasting political solution and all parties must accelerate progress to seize this historic opportunity.
He, however, said that peace talks remain fragile and the level of violence remains unacceptably high, including Taliban attacks on civilians.
“The Taliban must reduce violence, negotiate in good faith and live up to their commitment to stop cooperating with international terrorist groups,” Stoltenberg said.
