NATO Summit to ratify plan to move forward in Afghanistan: Obama

Washington/Chicago (PAN.       

“At this summit, we anticipate not only ratifying the plan for moving forward in Afghanistan — a transition process that will bring the war to an end at the end of 2014 and put Afghans in the lead for their own security — but we are also going to be talking about the progress that we have made in expanding NATO’s defense capabilities — ensuring that every NATO member has a stake and is involved and integrated in our mutual defense efforts,” Barack Obama said.

Obama made these comments on top of his meeting with the NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Chicago. The summit is being attended by leaders of more than 60 countries including Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

He added, “We are going to have an opportunity to talk about the partnerships that NATO has been able to set up with like-minded countries around the world, and find ways that we can deepen and engage those partners to help to promote security and peace around the world.”

Rasmussen said in his remarks, “Mr. President, I would like to thank very much for your strong leadership, for your dedication to our alliance.  America has always been a source of strength and inspiration in NATO, and I am very pleased that we can hold our 25th summit in your home city, Chicago.”

“Chicago has always been a place where Europeans and North Americans have come together.  And now, we have come together to reaffirm the unbreakable bond between us,” he said. 

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