RIGA - NATO continues to support the Afghan peace process, Janis Bekeris, Press Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, informed LETA.

A video conference of the NATO Foreign Ministers' Meeting was held on December 1 and 2, which also addressed the issue of NATO's departure from Afghanistan. Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics (New Unity) also participated in the meeting remotely.

Bekeris emphasized that there will be no changes of the NATO training mission in Afghanistan - Resolute Support. NATO will also continue to support the Afghan security forces in the fight against terrorism. Latvia's participation in the NATO-led mission will also be maintained.

According to Bekeris, in accordance with the mandate approved by the Saeima in 2016, a Latvian military contingent of up to 30 soldiers will be participating in the mission in Afghanistan. Currently, the Ministry of Defense is forwarding to the Saeima for consideration the extension of the mandate of Latvia's participation in this mission until the end of 2021.

The representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that the meeting of NATO foreign ministers discussed the impact of the US decision to reduce the presence of their forces on the objectives and capabilities of the NATO mission. It has now been concluded that the mission is able to function and carry out its tasks, but NATO will continue to assess the situation and NATO members will have to make further decisions in February 2021, when NATO defense ministers will meet.

NATO members will have to consider whether NATO should continue its engagement in the country, which could become a long-term commitment, or end its presence in Afghanistan, which in turn could lead to the consolidation of international terrorists on Afghan territory and the withdrawal of international forces. It will be a unanimous decision of NATO members, followed by joint action by the allies.

See the rest here:

NATO continues to support the peace process in Afghanistan - Baltic Times