News
January 27, 2010
Germany to Continue Engagement in Afghanistan

German Chancellor, Angela Merkel announced Wednesday that Germany was not setting any date for the withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan and hoped Afghanistan could assume control of its own security by 2014. She made the announcement at a joint press conference after talks with President Karzai in Berlin.
Chancellor Merkel said her government was committed to speed up and expand the training for the Afghan security forces and said any debates on withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan did in no way mean stopping support to Afghanistan. She stressed that international support of Afghanistan would continue even after Afghan forces have taken over responsibility for their country.
Pointing to the coming up London Conference, she said it would shape up a new format for the international community’s engagement in Afghanistan which she termed as “transfer of responsibility for Afghans”. Merkel reiterated that the world would be standing by the people of Afghanistan as long as they are capable of getting back on their own feet.
Speaking at the same press conference, President Karzai thanked Germany for all its military and civilian efforts in Afghanistan and said Afghanistan aims to reduce soon the burden on its allies of providing security, but Afghan forces will need long-term international support. The President said, "Afghanistan does not want to be a burden on the shoulder of our allies and friends. Afghanistan wants to soon be defending its own territory, its own people, with Afghan means."
President Karzai stated that international community has promised to increase its assistance to continue for a long haul to provide training and equipment to the Afghan security forces and hoped Afghan forces could, in two to three years lead military operations. He continued that assuming responsibility for all operations would not be bound by time, but by pace and how quickly Afghan forces can gain the required capability.
Separately, President Karzai met with the Chairmen of German Parliament’s Committees on Foreign Relations, Defence, Human Rights and Internal and External Development, where discussions were mainly focused on the continued German assistance to Afghanistan.
President Karzai left Berlin this afternoon for London, where an international conference is scheduled to be held tomorrow on Afghanistan.