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Nato will stand by its previously agreed plan to wind down operation in Afghanistan by the end of 2014 with any changes to the schedule coordinated with allies, Anders Fogh Rasmussen said in a meeting ahead of the Nato Defence Ministers summit in Brussels.

Nato allies set end of 2014 the completion of handover process to Afghan security forces in 2010 at Lisbon summit.

"That decision and that roadmap still stands," Mr Rasmussen told reporters ahead of the Brussels meeting.

But he said that the final phase of the security transition will be completed by mid 2013 and Nato forces will hold their supportive and training role.

He also emphasises on a coordinated process of transition.

"From that time, Afghan security forces are in the lead all over Afghanistan and from that time the role of our troop will gradually change from combat to support. In that there is nothing new, It is of course of crucial importance that this change of role takes place in a coordinated manner," Mr Rasmussen said.

There are around 130,000 foreign troops in Afghanistan most of them US soldiers. Since the start of Nato mission in Afghanistan in 2001 at least 2,882 foreign soldiers have lost their lives.

More than 50 countries have contributed to the Nato mission in Afghanistan. US, Britain and France are the leading countries that have contributed to the Nato-led mission in Afghanistan.

On January 27th this year, French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced complete withdrawal of his troops by mid 2013.

Meanwhile, UK's David Cameron urges a slow and cautious withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has signed several strategic pacts with key Nato contributors including Britain and France and will sign a strategic agreement with the United States in the near future.

While the transition has turned to be the hot agenda, peace negotiations with the Taliban and other insurgent groups have dominated local and international media.