NATO Secretary general Jaap de Hoop Scheffer highlighted on Thursday in Bucharest the Alliance’s firm and shared long term commitment in Afghanistan.

In a press conference following the international conference on Afghanistan, Scheffer said he did not want any doubts about NATO’s long-term commitments and about the support that the Alliance would grant to the UN in the operations in Afghanistan.

He explained that NATO will coordinate activities in Afghanistan alongside the UN and the Afghan authorities.

He announced that the American troops fighting in Eastern Afghanistan will relocate south to assist the Canadian forces dispatched in Kandahar.

NATO’s pledge for the operations in Afghanistan is a firm and long-term one, reads a declaration that presents the strategic vision of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) , made public after the press conference.

Moreover, a comprehensive approach by the international community, bringing together civilian and military efforts is intended.

Another aspect of NATO’s strategic vision over the mission in Afghanistan refers to encouraging the country’s cooperation with its neighbors, especially Pakistan.

Within the Trans-Atlantic Forum held these days in Bucharest, Scheffer pleaded for the strengthening of the political dialogue between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The military relations between the two countries are very good, Scheffer said in the context, adding that they should be ’supplemented’ by a genuine political dialogue. ROMPRES