BSA, SOFA to be signed in 2 months: MoFA

KABUL would be inked over the next two months.

MoFA spokesman Shakeeb Mustaghni said the BSA had already been endorsed by the Loya Jirga, but President Karzai linked its signing to peace in the country.

He said the proposed Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with NATO was about to be finalised.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ershad Ahamd had assured NATO foreign ministers during their meeting in Brussels last month that both the Afghan presidential candidates were willing to sign the bilateral security pact. 

Final results from the presidential runoff elections are expected on July 22 and the Presidential Palace has announced to hold swearing-in ceremony for the new president on August 2. 

Mustaghni said the deputy foreign minister had informed the Brussels meeting that Kabul government wanted extension in the stay of NATO forces in Afghanistan.

He said the NATO secretary general had re-assured the international community’s commitments toward Afghanistan after 2014.

NATO foreign ministers had expressed full support to the election process in Afghanistan and lauded the role of Afghan National Army (ANA) in securing the ballot, Mustaghni added.

He further said the US Foreign Secretary had told the meeting in Brussels that the international community would continue supporting Afghanistan.

He revealed representatives from more than 40 countries would be invited to atte3nd the oath-taking ceremony of the new Afghan president.

sks/ma

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