Russia expects NATO to hold responsibility for future
19 October, 2012
MOSCOW: Russia demanded NATO to fulfill its obligations in Afghanistan even after NATO forces' withdrawal from there, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said Thursday.
"Russia would insist that the alliance's forces fully fulfilled their obligations toward Afghanistan not only when they are there but also after NATO's withdrawal from that country," Rogozin told the visiting delegation of the NATO parliamentary assembly.
He called NATO to reshape its operation in Afghanistan from military objectives to lay foundations for peaceful and better life for Afghans.
Meanwhile, he assured Moscow would continue to cooperate with NATO over Afghanistan because Russia has its serious interests in Central Asia.
"Since you've entered there, it's your full responsibility for everything happening there and for what will be happening after your exit," Rogozin said, adding any instability in Afghanistan beckons terrorists from around the world.
"In effect, Afghanistan security has been connected with security of our borders," he concluded.
The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan has planned to leave the country in 2014.
Russia offered a base in the city of Ulyanovsk for transit of ISAF consignment being withdrawn from Afghanistan.
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