Foreign Minister Støre visits Afghanistan

Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre is visiting Afghanistan to meet Norwegians serving in the country and to have talks with the Afghan authorities, civil society and the leadership of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

“The Afghans are to take over responsibility for security in their own country. The process of transferring responsibility has already started. Our role is to help to enable them to take on this responsibility in the best possible manner. The nature of our task is changing, and a gradual withdrawal of the Norwegian forces is drawing closer,” said Foreign Minister Støre.

The purpose of the Foreign Minister’s visit is to follow up on Norway’s engagement in Afghanistan, meet Norwegian military and civilian personnel, assess how the process of transferring responsibility for security to the Afghan security forces is progressing and visit Norwegian development projects.

“At the NATO summit in Lisbon last November, we reached agreement with the Afghan authorities on a strategy for transferring responsibility for security by 2014. The transfer has already started, and this will have an impact on the nature and scope of Norway’s contribution”, said the Foreign Minister.

“President Obama’s recent speech underlines that the handover is now taking place, and this paves the way for a gradual reduction of the international military presence. As capacity-building in Afghanistan progresses, this will also apply to the Norwegian forces. We will undertake this reduction in consultation with our allies and the Afghan authorities,” said Foreign Minister Støre, who pointed out that Norway will maintain its military contribution in 2012.

“The future of Afghanistan must be determined through political dialogue among the Afghans. I welcome the initiatives that are being launched to find a political solution to the conflict. Norway supports these efforts. Here as well, it is essential that the Afghans take the lead, although the international community must provide support and encouragement. However, we must realise that it will take time to find a stable political solution,” said Mr Støre.

The Foreign Minister stressed that Afghanistan will continue to need support for its political and economic development.

“Our civilian assistance needs to be more closely coordinated and more precisely targeted. Our assistance must not be made to conform with any military strategy, but must respond to real Afghan needs and be designed to enable the Afghans to take responsibility for their country’s development,” said Foreign Minister Støre.

Press contact: Communications Adviser Marte Lerberg Kopstad, mobile phone: +47 995 22 026