Press release
22 October 2009
Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Swedish support to Afghanistan to remain long-term
The mission of Swedish forces in Afghanistan is to be extended to 31 December 2010. This is proposed in the Bill to be passed by the Government today. Together with the increase in Swedish development assistance and greater EU involvement, the Government wants to help to ensure that responsibility for the country's development can be transferred to the Afghan authorities in due course.
"Only with our continued presence can we take long-term action to help phase out military involvement in Afghanistan," says Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt.
Sweden's contribution currently stands at approximately 500 people. This includes staff in the Operational Mentor and Liaison Teams (OMLT) who provide military advice to help build up and support the Afghan army. In the long term, the OMLTs will help to create the conditions for a future reduction in international military presence.
The security situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated in 2009. In these circumstances, it is important that the Swedish Government has the opportunity to temporarily reinforce its mission. Reinforcement can mean extra staff and equipment, as well as rescue and evacuation measures.
Aside from military support, the Government adopted a strategy in the summer to gradually increase long-term assistance to Afghanistan from approximately SEK 300 million to approximately SEK 500 million within the next few years. Moreover, in its capacity as holder of the Presidency of the EU, Sweden will present a programme next week for greater EU involvement in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
"Our combined efforts are different components of a policy for peace, democracy and development in Afghanistan and the surrounding region. Extending Sweden's military presence is currently an unavoidable part of this approach," says Mr Bildt.
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In 2001 the UN Security Council approved the establishment of an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. The main task of ISAF is to enhance security in order to create the right conditions for the political stabilisation process, enable humanitarian operations and assist in reconstruction and long-term development. Since 2003 ISAF has been under NATO command. As recently as October 2009, the Security Council noted that ISAF needs to remain in Afghanistan and that it could be assumed that the UN would continue to extend the mandate for several years to come. ISAF currently comprises approximately 64 500 people from 42 countries.
Contact
Anna Charlotta Johansson(journalists only) Press Secretary to Carl Bildt
+46 8 405 54 73
+46 70 356 30 32
email to Anna Charlotta Johansson
