Situation in Afghanistan will remain fragile post-2014

Speakers at a high-level conference on Afghanistan, hosted by the European Parliament on Wednesday, said that the security situation in Afghanistan is fragile and will remain so after the withdrawal of NATO forces in 2014. "Afghanistan is and will remain a fragile state after 2014. We need to be realistic about this," said EU special representative to Afghanistan, Franz-Michael Mellbin. Thijs Berman, chair of the EP delegation for relations with Afghanistan, said the country "will remain dependent on foreign aid for many years. Only lasting solution is a political solution through a democratic process." They were addressing a one-day conference titled" Afghanistan and Central Asia: prospects and challenges after withdrawal of NATO/ISAF forces." Afghanistan's ambassador in Brussels Homayoun Tandar said that in 2014 two positive events will take place in his country, one the presidential and provincial elections and second withdrawal of NATO troops. He said the presence of NATO will not finish in 2014 but will continue with a new mission of training and assistance to Afghan forces. Tandor said Afghan forces are capable of maintaining security in their country and was convinced that the bilateral security agreement with the US will be signed to ensure peace and security. He urged the US to urge Pakistan to pressure Taliban to take part in peace negotiations. "They have all facilities in Pakistan. They will accept the friendly words of our Pakistani friends," he added. Stephan Evans, Assistant Secretary General for operation in NATO said the Alliance prevented Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for terrorists and helped build 352, 000 well equipped Afghan troops and police. "Afghanistan is moving in the right direction. It has the opportunity to address the tasks ahead," he said. He noted that NATO is planning for a new mission to train the Afghan forces after 2014 but it will not be a combat mission. The ambassadors of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan also addressed the meeting.