Pressmeddelande
5 november 2009
Försvarsdepartementet
Nordiskt-baltiskt uttalande om Afghanistan
Gemensamt uttalande om Afghanistan av de nordiska och baltiska försvarsministrarna på det Nordisk-baltiska försvarsministermötet i Helsingfors den 5 november 2009.
- We express our deep gratitude to the men and women risking their lives in support of peace and security in Afghanistan. We express our appreciation to the families of all soldiers serving our respective countries.
- We express our heart-felt condolences to the families of the soldiers who have given their lives and our thoughts are with those who have been wounded.
- We are in Afghanistan at the request of the UN Security Council and the Afghan Government. We are there for our own security and for the security of the Afghan people.
- We express our intention to stand firm in spite of the current security challenges. Security presence is absolutely necessary for the development efforts.
- We underline the necessity to put emphasis on the protection of the civilian population in conducting military operations.
- Afghan ownership in the development of their country is crucial. This underlines the need for good governance and a government which builds the broadest possible consensus across the political spectrum. Mr. Hamid Karzai is the re-elected President of Afghanistan. We expect quick and decisive steps towards better governance, more transparent government, and fuller political accountability. In this regard, it is vital that the Afghan Government respects human rights, not least the rights of women.
- We agree that a long term commitment, both military and civilian, is needed. Increased emphasis will be put on training and mentoring of the Afghan security forces so that they can take full responsibility for the security of Afghanistan.
- We all agree on the need for continued military presence, while recognising that military measures alone are not enough. There is a clear need for more civilian support and activities, also in the field of development assistance.
- We need to do more in a comprehensive way using both civilian and military instruments.
Sören Gade, Danmark
Jaak Aaviksoo, Estland
Jyri Häkämies, Finland
Thordur Aegir Oskarsson, Director, Department for Defence, Island
Imants Liegis, Lettland
Rasa Jukneviciene, Litauen
Grete Faremo, Norge
Sten Tolgfors, Sverige
Kontakt
Mikael Östlund08-405 10 00
Maria Vikberg
Pressassistent
08-405 25 30
0730-36 84 77
e-post till Maria Vikberg
