Statement by the Secretary General on the ratification by the Afghan Parliament of security agreements with NATO and the United States

I welcome the ratification, by an overwhelming majority in the Afghan Parliament, of the Status of Forces Agreement between Afghanistan and NATO and the Bilateral Security Agreement between Afghanistan and the United States. The Alliance now has the legal basis needed to move forward with our non-combat mission to train, advise and assist the Afghan National Security Forces from 1 January, as we agreed with the Afghan authorities.

The new mission, Resolute Support, will build on the achievements of our ISAF mission. It will help the Afghan forces to further develop, as they assume full responsibility for their country’s security.

Starting on 1 January, the future of Afghanistan will be in Afghan hands, but the support the Alliance provides will continue.

Together with the Resolute Support mission, we will continue to assist the Afghan security forces financially. We will also strengthen our political consultations and practical cooperation through the Enduring Partnership between NATO and Afghanistan.