On 22-23 February, NATO Permanent Representatives of Italy (Amb. Claudio Bisogniero), the United States (Amb. Kay Bailey Hutchison), Germany (Amb. Hans-Dieter Lucas) and Turkey (Amb. Mehmet Fatih Ceylan), as well as Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Curtis M. Scaparrotti, paid a visit to Afghanistan to reaffirm the Alliance’s commitment to the country.
NATO Resolute Support in Afghanistan is a “non-combat” mission focused on training, advising and assisting the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) as well as the Afghan institutions. It aims at improving self-sustaining functions and capabilities of local institutions. The core of the mission is the capital Kabul, as well as four commands: Mazar-e Sharif in the North, Herat in the West, Kandahar in the South, and Laghman in the East.
At NATO Warsaw Summit in July 2016, NATO Allied and Operational Partners of Resolute Support Mission committed to supporting the mission and strengthening the partnership with Afghanistan through political dialogue and cooperation. At NATO Defence Ministers’ Meetings in November 2017, this commitment was re-confirmed, and it will also represent one of the priorities of NATO Summit in July 2018.
During the visit, Ambassador Claudio Bisogniero, assisted by First Counsellor Alessandro Cattaneo, had the opportunity to acknowledge the huge progess made on the field. Italy, together with the other countries involved in the mission, reaffirmed NATO’s united and cohesive presence in such a crucial area, and condemned any form of terrorism. Peacekeeping and fight against terrorism are of the essence for the country, for the region, and for all the Allies.
The Train Advise Assist Command – West (TAAC-W), led by Brigadier General Gianluca Carai, continues the intensive activities of train, advice and assist to the benefit of local institutions and security forces in the Western region.
Currently, Italy deploys a maximum of 900 military, 148 vehicles and 8 air assets (rotary wing), with personnel in Kabul and in the Italian military contingent in Herat, at the TAAC-W.
For further information:
Press release by Resolute Support
Joint Statement by the four NATO Framework Nations in Afghanistan
National contribution by Italy to Resolute Support Mission (MoD)
