NATO, Other Allies Renew Commitments to Afghan Military

Pledges of long-term financial backing for Afghan security forces were reiterated by Afghanistan’s NATO allies and international partners at the plenary meeting of the Afghan National Army (ANA) Trust Fund Board yesterday. A NATO press release said the meeting was chaired by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, and Afghanistan Finance Minister Eklil Hakimi was present. “Together with our Resolute Support Mission to train, advise and assist the Afghan security forces and institutions and the NATO-Afghanistan Enduring Partnership, our Afghan National Army Trust Fund has been an important part of NATO’s endeavour to continue supporting the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in its efforts to achieve a stable and secure Afghanistan,” said Stoltenberg. Participants discussed the Trust Fund’s achievements in 2016 and 2017, the plans for 2018, the coordination with the donor community in Afghanistan, and the implementation of auditing arrangements. The adapted Afghan National Army Trust Fund is NATO’s response to the International Community’s commitment in the framework of the 2012 Chicago Summit to continue to support the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in its efforts to sustain sufficient and capable National Defence and Security Forces.