Azerbaijan`s Abiyev attends meeting of ISAF contributor countries` defence ministers
Baku, February 23 (AZERTAC). Azerbaijan`s defense minister Safar Abiyev has attended a gathering of the defense ministers of the countries contributing to the NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan in Brussels, Belgium.
The Azerbaijani Minister, as part of the visit, has held a number of meetings with defense ministers of several countries.
Defence Ministers from NATO and partner nations assessed the progress made since the transition to Afghan security responsibility began two years ago, and looked ahead to future tasks at a meeting in Brussels.
At the two-day meeting, the ministers would receive briefings on transition, redeployment, sustaining the Afghan National Security Forces and plans for the new NATO mission after 2014.
The 50 members of the ISAF coalition, the Defense Minister of Afghanistan, and representatives from the United Nations and the European Union were briefed by the new Commander of ISAF, General Joseph Dunford.
Transition to Afghan security responsibility began in 2011, and is due to conclude at the end of 2014. Currently, the Afghan forces are taking the lead for security in areas where 87% of the Afghan population Iives.
In a matter of months, the Afghan forces are expected to start moving into the lead throughout Afghanistan. At the same time, ISAF’s main effort will shift from combat to support.
NATO will lead a new mission to train, advise and assist the Afghan forces from 2015 onwards. A number of partners have also committed to join the new mission, which is currently being planned.
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