ISLAMABAD/BUCHAREST, May 25 (DNA): Romanian President Traian Basescu said that Romania will remain in Afghanistan to contribute to the training processes in the security systems of the country after 2014.According to a statement, Romania will start reducing its staff starting this summer, just as planned, but it will remain among the states which will contribute to the training processes in the security systems of the Afghan state after 2014, Basescu told a joint press statement on Friday, with visiting NATO’s Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
“Your commitment is so much more valuable, in a moment in which we all must make difficult choices,” stressed NATO’s Secretary General, pointing out that at the end of 2014, NATO’s battle mission would have ended and a new chapter of its commitment to Afghanistan will begin.
In context, Rasmussen talked about the planning of a new mission for training, counselling and supporting the Afghan forces after 2014.
“It will not be a battle mission and it will be a lot smaller. I count on Romania, on Romania’s constant support, for being able to build on what we have already achieved,” said the NATO head.
Meanwhile, Rasmussen thanked Romania for its significant contribution to the NATO missile defence system, pointing out that Romania played an active part in the shaping up of the NATO agenda and the construction of a strong relationships with its partners.
Basescu also thanked Rasmussen for appointing Romania’s Ambassador to NATO Sorin Ducaru as one of his assistants.
“It is the highest position a Romanian holds within NATO,” Basescu stressed.
Earlier in the day, NATO Secretary General had official talks with Romanian Primie Mnister Victor Ponta, Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean and Defense Minister Mircea Dusa.
Anders Fogh Rasmussen arrived in Bucharest on Thursday for his second visit to the eastern European country. The NATO secretary general also visitedBucharest in May 2010.
The Alliance head told Romania’s official Agerpres news agency that Romania has a strong position inside NATO and the fact that Romania’s ambassador to NATO Sorin Ducaru on Wednesday was appointed assistant to the NATO secretary general for emerging security threats is an expression of this fact.=DNA
