AFGHAN MAJ. AHMAD MURID PARTAW/former SENIOR NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE TO U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND
NATO’s continuing contribution to Afghan security was the subject of a September 2013 meeting between Afghan Minister of Defense Gen. Bismullah Muhammadi Khan and Norwegian Minister of Defense Anne-Grete Strom-Erichsen.
The Afghan defense minister expressed his gratitude to Norwegian Soldiers for their effective help in reconstructing Afghanistan since 2001.
“In the course of the past 12 years, Norwegian Soldiers have made many efforts to strengthen Afghan security forces as well as reconstructing the province in the north of the country,” Khan said.
Security challenges in Afghanistan have grown as the Taliban and terrorist groups have attempted to destabilize the country. Their efforts, however, have met with failure, thanks to Afghan security forces. Khan said Afghan forces have gained the requisite skills to provide security for the country.
The Norwegian minister of defense noted that progress made by Afghan forces has convinced the global community that Afghans are capable of providing security for themselves. Nevertheless, Norway wouldn’t cease providing assistance. “Norway is prepared to continue her contributions to Afghanistan after 2014 through the NATO forces,” Strom-Erichsen said.