NATO pays tribute to ISAF mission, as new chapter opens in relations with Afghanistan
The North Atlantic Council met for the last time in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) format today (17 December). “For well over a decade, our nations stood shoulder to shoulder in the largest coalition for peace and stability in history. This has been a challenging mission, in many respects. Militarily. Politically. Economically,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said. “But we have met these challenges. Together, we have done what we set out to do. With a clear United Nations mandate, we have denied safe haven to international terrorists. We have made Afghanistan stronger. And we have made our own nations safer”, Mr. Stoltenberg added. “Challenges still remain. But today, Afghanistan is more stable and prosperous than ever”.