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NATO presence in Afghanistan must be supported by UN resolution

A new mission approved by Afghan government and supported by a relevant UN Security Council resolution would be in accordance with international cooperation, the Russian ambassador to the UN says

© ITAR-TASS/EPA/JASON SZENES

UNITED NATIONS, November 21. /TASS/. The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) believes the presence of NATO forces in Afghanistan after 2015 must be supported by a United Nations Security Council resolution, Russian ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin told a General Assembly meeting on Thursday on behalf of the CSTO, which unites Russia and its allies.

The signing of a bilateral agreement on security on September 30 this year between Afghanistan and the United States and an agreement with NATO on the status of forces is the Afghan Islamic Republic’s sovereign right, which is not questioned. The documents are expected to contribute to strengthening security in the country. A new mission approved by Afghanistan's government and supported by a relevant UN Security Council resolution would be in accordance with international cooperation, he said.

Particular concern is caused by threats to security, including information about contacts between the Islamic State group and the Afghan armed opposition to develop joint undermining activities in northern Afghanistan and also stepped up drug traffic in Afghanistan, Churkin said.

The mission of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan expires on December 31.

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Afghanistan NATO CSTO Vitaly Churkin

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