DUSHANBE, December 19, Asia-Plus — The situation that is expected to emerge in Afghanistan and Central Asia after withdrawal of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops from Afghanistan in 2014 was a major topic of a conference that took place at the European Parliament in Brussels on December 18.
According to the Tajik MFA information department, the High Level Conference on “Afghanistan and Central Asia: Prospects and Challenges after Withdrawal of NATO/ISAF Forces” was held by the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) in association with the Delegation for relations with Afghanistan and the Delegation to Central Asia.
The objective of the conference was to discuss the future of Afghanistan and the impact on Central Asia of the withdrawal of NATO/ISAF forces and the full transfer of security responsibility to Afghan forces in 2014.
The event reportedly brought together political stakeholders, civil society and experts from the region and Europe. It provided an opportunity for the EU, NATO, the neighboring region and other stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to support the stability of Afghanistan after 2014. It was also an opportunity to exchange views on the future of the political relations between Afghanistan and the EU and the Central Asian countries, as well as on how to provide support to the peace process, democracy and governance in Afghanistan and how to assist in the further development of the country.
Speaking at the conference, Rustamjon Soliyev, Tajikistan”s Ambassador to Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, the EU, NATO, UNESCO and the Council of Europe, noted that Tajikistan supported all initiatives aimed at reestablishment of peace and stability in Afghan society and reconstruction of Afghanistan’s economy.
