Defense chiefs of NATO member-nations and partners have reaffirmed their commitment to support the commander of the alliance's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan over the next 19 months, according to a NATO press release.
The NATO Military Committee noted during its two-day meeting in Brussels that the alliance's Afghan mission is entering a new phase as it approaches the completion of the ISAF campaign, with its primary role changing from combat to supporting the Afghan government.
"NATO and Partner Chiefs of Defence acknowledge the increased capability of the Afghan National Security Forces to provide security for their country. Transition therefore remains on track and our assessment is on the whole positive," Committee Chairman Gen. Knud Bartels said.
The U.S. and other allied nations involved in the Afghan mission are currently making serious efforts to get Afghan security forces ready and capable of handling the country's security before the planned withdrawal of coalition troops by the end of 2014.
Regarding the alliance's post-2014 engagements in Afghanistan, Bartels said: "We made good progress and details on the concept of operations for the new mission will be finalized in the coming weeks, ready for the Defence Ministers to discuss next month."
The Committee also discussed opportunities to deepen military-to-military cooperation with NATO partners. Delving into transformation, it expressed support for ongoing and future initiatives, particularly Smart Defence and the Connected Forces, to achieve best value for money while building on lessons learned from operations.
On NATO's strategic partners of Ukraine and Georgia, the Committee reaffirmed its support to these nations in their defense reforms and their commitment to increasing interoperability with the alliance.
Regarding Russia, the Chiefs of Defence were supportive for the ongoing cooperation between NATO and Russia through the 2013 Work Plan, and discussed new initiatives for the development of the 2014 Work Plan, particularly with regard to maritime cooperation in the Mediterranean.
They also demonstrated their commitment to transparency with briefing on Exercise Steadfast Jazz 2013 and operations in Afghanistan. On this note, Bartels emphasized: "In the months to come, we will continue to build with Russia on reciprocal transparency on military exercises, enhancing mutual understanding."
The defence chiefs also provided clear commitment and guidance to NATO's future training and exercises concept. They discussed a high visibility exercise - due to take place in 2015 - which will mark the shift in NATO's operational focus and test both the alliance's new Command and Force Structures.
Closing the meeting, the Committee stressed the importance of preserving capacity, as well as capability. "Defence spending across the Alliance must be coherent, complementary and matched to future threats," Bartels said.
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