The Heads of State and Government at the NATO meeting in Brussels issued a Brussels Summit Declaration on Wednesday.

According to the declaration the NATO nations agreed to extend the financial assistance to Afghan forces for another period of four years after 2020.

“As the Afghan government continues to work towards peace and reconciliation, we will continue our assistance by extending our financial sustainment of the Afghan forces through 2024 and by pledging to fill staffing shortfalls, especially in priority areas,” the declaration said. 

“We reaffirm our commitment to ensure long-term security and stability in Afghanistan,” the declaration added. “Our Resolute Support Mission is achieving success in training, advising, and assisting the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces.” 

The NATO allies meanwhile called on Pakistan, Iran and Russia to support the Afghan peace process.   

“Regional actors have an important role to play in support of peace and stabilization in Afghanistan, and we call on them to cooperate more closely on fighting terrorism, to improve the conditions for economic development, to support the Afghan government’s peace and reconciliation efforts, and to prevent any form of support to the insurgency.  

“In this regard, we encourage Pakistan, Iran, and Russia to contribute to regional stability by fully supporting an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process,” the declaration said.