Address at NATO – ISAF Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Afghanistan

The Minister based his address on some of the following points: 

• I add my voice to those who strongly condemn the recent terror attack in Kabul.
• Welcome the results and conclusions of the Bonn Conference on Afghanistan.
• Support the two main principles from the conference: long-term commitment and mutual obligation.
• Important that the Afghan Government commits itself to build a stable, democratic society, based on the rule of law, where human rights and fundamental freedoms are guaranteed under the constitution.
• In Bonn (5 December 2011), we underlined that Norway’s partnership with Afghanistan will remain strong, also beyond 2014. This partnership demands that Afghanistan does its part by reinforcing the fight against corruption and ensuring good governance, at all levels.
• I also emphasised in Bonn that a sustainable political solution must include all parties to the conflict. Women must participate in determining Afghanistan’s future, in all sectors, at all levels. This will be one of Norway’s priorities.
• The transition is well under way. Norway remains committed to a responsible and coordinated transition process. We are committed to the approach we adopted in Lisbon.
• Transition has so far gone well. Proves that the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) is becoming more capable and underlines the importance of ISAF’s mentoring and training. We will revert to these issues in Chicago (May 2012), to ensure that the future ANSF force level is sustainable. 

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Statement from the meeting.