Turkey will play an important role in the withdrawal process from Afghanistan because of its geo-strategic position according to Commander of NATO Allied Land Command in Izmir on Tuesday.
Following the completion of the International Security and Support Force' (ISAF) mission to assist the Afghan government in the establishment of a secure and stable environment, along with the withdrawal of military forces from Afghanistan by the end of this year, support is being planned for Afghanistan by the ISAF with a training, consultation and support mission.
Lieutenant General Frederick Ben Hodges, commander of NATO Allied Land Command said that NATO member countries were considering the transitional period after ISAF, but said that at present it is still unclear what decisions the Afghan government will make with the upcoming elections in the country. Analysts surmise that any decision will not be made prior to these elections being held.
The supporting role will depend on the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) which is firstly reliant on the signing of a Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) between Afghanistan and the United States, Hodges explained in an interview with Anadolu Agency in Izmir on Tuesday.
Hodges said that taking into account the NATO Allied Forces Commander General Philip Breedlove's emphasis on the importance of executing a safe and sound withdrawal, efforts are underway to leave a force in place in 2015 with precise training and systems to perform far different duties than it currently has been engaging in.
He also confirmed that Turkey will participate in the 'resolute support mission' on the withdrawal of troops in its responsibilities as a NATO member for 62 years taking into account its NATO base in Izmir since Turkey's long NATO membership, and because of its historical relations with Afghanistan. He also commented on the important logistic route for Germans who send their equipment through Trabzon.
Hodges said, “I feel confident when I see Turkish, German and American soldiers as NATO soldiers. Turkish Armed Forces are an important part of NATO. Izmir is a perfect base and installation. Turkey is a great support for us. I am lucky to be a commander of NATO Army here.”
"Actually Naples and Izmir are two important NATO bases. If we look at the map, there is Russia, the Caucasus, the Balkans, Iran, Iraq, Syria, and the Mediterranean, and Turkey has always been important for the West. Turkey has had soldiers in the Balkans and Afghanistan, therefore, Turkey is very important as it has been in NATO for 62 years," Hodges said.
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