Monitoring Desk
KABUL: German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday that the government of Germany would continue assistance with Afghanistan.
Ursula von der Leyen said this in a meeting with President Muhammad Ashraf Ghani at the Presidential Palace. A German delegation led by the defence minister arrived in Kabul on Monday.
President Ghani said the visit of German minister was of vital importance for the expansion of cooperation between Afghanistan and Germany. Terming Germany as a good friend of Kabul, he lauded its government for providing continued assistance to Afghanistan in various sectors, particularly for training the Afghan security forces. On the occasion, the German defence minister said they had expanded their military deployment in Afghanistan to provide training to the Afghan security and defence forces.
She assured that the government of Germany would continue assistance with Kabul in various sectors, particularly for the training and counseling of Afghan security and defence forces.
She lauded the efforts of the Afghan government to introduce reforms in the security and defence forces.
Both the sides discussed various key issues, including regional security, durable peace and stability, joint war on terrorism and military and economic cooperation.
Meanwhile, criticizing the “rapid’ reduction of international forces in Afghanistan, German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen has said Afghans need continued support, advice and training from foreign troops.
This she said during her visit to Mazar-i-Sharif, capital of northern Balkh province, Monday. Ursula von der Leyen met German troops and asked them to be ready for longer presence in Afghanistan.
Germany announced few days ago to increase their troops in Afghanistan from 980 to 13000.
She said Afghanistan’s security situation was tense and was not yet ready take responsibility for their security.
The German defense ministry said the international mission linked to improvement in situation in Afghanistan and the international community had learned they needed to be more patient.
Ursula von der Leyen accompanied by members of Germany parliament and other officials also met Afghan military officials and assured continued support to Afghan forces.
She said NATO would not allow Afghanistan to be turned into the centre of Taliban, Daesh, al-Qaeda and regional terror groups.
