ISAF peace support operation was in the focus of the second day of the meeting of NATO defence ministers, which was held on 10 and 11 June 2010 in Brussels, also attended by the Croatian Defence Minister Branko Vukelic, where the dominant topics in the discussion were transition of responsibility for the security of the country on the Afghan government institutions and the contribution of allies in the establishment and training of self sustainable Afghan security forces.
ISAF peace support operation was in the focus of the second day of the meeting of NATO defence ministers, which was held on 10 and 11 June 2010 in Brussels, also attended by the Croatian Defence Minister Branko Vukelic, where the dominant topics in the discussion were transition of responsibility for the security of the country on the Afghan government institutions and the contribution of allies in the establishment and training of self sustainable Afghan security forces.
In his opening address to representatives of countries contributing forces to ISAF (46 states) NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen assessed the current implementation of the new allied strategy as successful and that the overall situation in this country was going in the right direction, also mentioning that the situation still requires the full attention of the Allies, but the progress achieved in the first six months of this year was visible.
In his remarks, Minister of Defence Branko Vukelic welcomed the efforts made directed towards successful implementation of the transition of responsibility for security to Afghan authorities, where he highlighted that the basis for a successful transfer of responsibility was establishing self sustaining Afghan security forces.
Minister Vukelic said that nearly half of the Croatian contingent consists of instructors and mentors for the Afghan Army, and soon the Afghan police.
On Thursday, 10 June 2010, ministers discussed prioritization of the defence resources.
NATO Secretary General Andreas Fogh Rasmussen briefed the ministers on the effects of measures relating to the prioritization and resource planning, which was directly supporting the development of strategic capabilities and management of allied missions and operations.
In his remarks, Minister Vukelic has supported efforts to improve the process of resource management and implementation aspects of resource considerations when making decisions.
In the second part of Thursday's meeting, NATO defence ministers discussed the KFOR mission in Kosovo and the continuation of the planned reduction of troops on the ground in the coming period.
Minister Vukelic stressed the satisfaction of the Republic of Croatia with improving political and security situation in Kosovo and supported further gradual reduction of international forces in KFOR.
Minister also stressed that NATO's military presence in Kosovo remains necessary and indispensable for peace and stability in the region.
source: www.morh.hr
photo: www.nato.int
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