Concerns over Afghanistan, China, Iran and Russia, climate change, cybersecurity, terrorism and energy security will be focused in the NATO foreign ministerial meeting.
NATO foreign ministers are set to meet today in Brussels to address a number of issues, including the situation in Afghanistan, foreign troop presence and “to assess next steps”, according to NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg.
“Ministers will continue consultations on the situation in Afghanistan, and our military presence [and] to assess our next steps together,” NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg said. “There are no easy choices. And, for now, all options remain open. The security situation is difficult.”
The NATO chief added that NATO allies strongly support efforts to infuse fresh energy into the peace process but all parties need to work for achieving progress, reduction in violence and “to negotiate in good faith.” “It also requires constructive engagement from all regional actors and the international community,” he said.
Mr. Stoltenberg said the ongoing peace talks are the best way to preserve the gains made over the last two decades and to ensure a stable Afghanistan that will not serve as a safe haven for terrorists.
American top diplomat Antony Blinken will also visit Brussels for the Biden administration’s first in-person talks with transatlantic leaders.
He will also focus on Afghanistan, according to a State Department’s statement.
Mr. Blinken was the one who said at a Senate confirmation hearing on January that he would undertake a review of a deal signed between the United States and the Taliban to end the long-decades war in the south-Asian country.
A year ago, U.S. President Biden’s predecessor signed an agreement with the Taliban that called for a U.S. troop withdrawal by May 1, 2021.
Mr. Biden now says meeting the May 1 deadline for troop withdrawal will be “tough”. But he added that his administration will make consultations with allies while making decisions.
The Taliban also has warned Washington against keeping forces beyond deadline.
Follow TKG on Twitter & Facebook
