NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg with members of the Afghan National Army Trust Fund Board

The NATO allies and partners on Tuesday reaffirmed their steadfast support to financial sustainment of the Afghan forces.

They reaffirmed their support at the plenary meeting of the Afghan National Army Trust Fund Board.

The NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the donors agreed to extend their funding support through 2024 at Brussels summit last year.

He also added that the international community had earlier made similar commitments in Chicago and Warsaw Summits.

Furthermore, Mr. Stoltenberg said “It is difficult to overstate the political significance of the demonstration of long-term commitment by the international community to Afghanistan’s security.”

Mr. Stoltenberg also added that it would be difficult to overstate and how much this commitment is influencing the Taliban’s considerations to enter into a discussion on a negotiated solution to the conflict in Afghanistan.”

However, he said “The Afghan National Army Trust Fund plays an important part in linking this international commitment with worthwhile projects that improve the capabilities of the Afghan forces and help keeping them in the fight.”

He also highlighted that today’s meeting “is evidence of strong and continued commitment to the financial support of the Afghan security forces, improving chances for a negotiated solution to the conflict and for peace that all Afghans demand.”

As of 15 May 2019, total contributions made to the Trust Fund amount to 2.8 billion U.S. dollars. The ANA Trust Fund is open for contributions by the broader International Community, according to a NATO news release.