Afghanistan hails presence of Ukrainian military after 2014

KYIV, April 29 /UKRINFORM/. The Afghan authorities welcomed the continued participation of the Ukrainian military in the new training mission in the country after the withdrawal of the international coalition forces in 2014, Mohammad Yahya Maroufi, Minister-Counselor of Afghan President for Political Affairs, told a UKRINFORM reporter on Monday.

"We would like Ukraine to continue to maintain its interests in Afghanistan. We also welcome your participation after 2014," he said, when asked about the vision by the Afghan authorities of further stay of Ukrainian peacekeepers within the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

According to him, the Afghan side welcomes both the participation of the Ukrainian military in the new training mission and the implementation by Ukraine of projects in economy, mining, etc.

"All the countries participating in the ISAF are important and valuable. We believe that this is the first step towards the development of our long-term relationship," said Maroufi.

As known, the military personnel of 50 contributing countries are involved in the International Security Assistance Force in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (ISAF). The Armed Forces of Ukraine are presented by 28 military who carry out the tasks of civil-military cooperation, search, disposal and destruction of explosive ordnance and improvised explosive devices, providing professional medical assistance to the population of Afghanistan, training for the ISAF Air Force.

With a NATO decision, the withdrawal of the workforce and means of the mission in Afghanistan is scheduled to end in 2014, delegating responsibility for security in the country to Afghan National Security Forces. At the same time, the Alliance plans to stay in the country after 2014 under the new non-military training support mission.

АМ