President, CEO to meet NATO chief on Monday

KABUL Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg would meet top Afghan leaders in Brussels on Monday, the alliance announced on Saturday.

Stoltenberg will meet President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdullah Abdullah on December 1. The current NATO combat mission ends on Dec. 31.

Following their meeting, the secretary-general will jointly address a news conference with the president. The meetings are expected to focus on NATO’s new mission to train, assist and advise Afghan forces.

Earlier in the month, Stoltenberg arrived in Kabul on his maiden visit since he replaced Fogh Rasmussen on October 1. He met Ghani and Abdullah on NATO’s continued commitment to Afghanistan beyond 2014.

As part of the security transition, Afghan soldiers and police have led security operations since June 2013 and will assume full responsibility as of January 1, 2015.

Meanwhile, alliance spokesperson Christopher Chambers told Pajhwok Afghan News a NATO foreign ministerial meeting would take place next week in Brussels. It will be attended by members of 28 NATO allies and foreign ministers of Resolute Support partner nations.

“Now we have the required legal framework in place with the ratification of the BSA and SOFA. After the passage of both agreements through the Afghan parliament, ministers are expected to formally approve the launch of Resolute Support mission.”

In agreement with the Afghan government, NATO and Kabul are expected to announce the launch of a joint task force aimed at taking forward the development of the enduring partnership.

During his recent visit, Stoltenberg invited both Ghani and Abdullah to attend the NATO ministerial on December 2 at the NATO headquarters.

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