The president welcomed Mr. Everts and expressed hope that relations between NATO and Afghanistan will further strengthen during his tenure.

President Karzai stated: “NATO is playing a significant role in ensuring the security of our country; the people of Afghanistan are satisfied with NATO’s assistance and request NATO to assist in resolving the problems in some parts of Afghanistan and in further strengthening our security institutions.”

Mr. Everts stressed that NATO will help Afghanistan achieve security in accordance with the wishes of the Afghan people and said, “NATO will continue to provide assistance to the security and reconstruction of Afghanistan and the strengthening of its national police and army, as it has assisted in the past.”