Deputy NATO commander discusses Afghanistan, strategic priorities at OSCE

VIENNA, 16 September 2009 - NATO Deputy Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, General Sir John McColl, addressed NATO's strategic priorities at a session of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation in Vienna today.

On Afghanistan, McColl reminded the OSCE states of the progress that has been made since 2002. Healthcare coverage has been increased from 8 percent to 85 percent of the population, more than 2,000 schools have been built or refurbished, seven million children, including two million girls are in school, the economy has experienced double-digit GDP growth, and the Afghan security forces and police have been built up.

"These are real achievements, and as we focus on the difficulties - and indeed there are difficulties - we should not forget the progress that has been made," said McColl.

According to McColl, major challenges facing Afghanistan include security in the south, narcotics and corruption. He emphasized the importance of a long-term and continuing security presence as "a prerequisite for the development Afghanistan so clearly needs."

"Progress will be a partnership between the international community, including NATO, and the Afghan people. It involves security, development, governance and accountability," he said.

Afghanistan is an OSCE Asian Partner for Co-operation. In 2007 the OSCE states approved a decision to strengthen the Organization's engagement with Afghanistan. The decision puts particular focus on intensifying OSCE action to help secure and manage borders between the OSCE's Central Asian participating States and Afghanistan. The decision also calls for police training and support in the fight against drug trafficking.

McColl also discussed NATO's activities in the Balkans, including in Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in maritime operations.

The OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation, which is chaired by the United Kingdom until the end of 2009, meets weekly in Vienna to discuss and take decisions regarding military aspects of security in the OSCE area, in particular confidence- and security-building measures.