Within the framework of international peacekeeping forces ISAF, NATO has supported and strengthened the capability of the central government to independently ensure unity, sovereignty and stability of Afghanistan and maintain positive relations with its neighbours.

ISAF has been present in a wider area in Afghanistan also with the assistance of the Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRT) under the command of individual allies. The objective of PRT activities is to provide assistance in the training of the Afghan army and province building as well as in the capacity building of the local communities for an independent life in a functioning democracy, where security, the rule of law and respect for human rights are ensured. Within the framework of the PRTs, in 2006 NATO assumed the task of training the Afghan National Army (ANA) by forming special Operational Mentor and Liaison Teams (OMLT), which comprise also members of the Slovenian Armed Forces.

Since the beginning of ISAF operations in Afghanistan, significant progress has been achieved at the political level and in the field of reconstruction; however, security situation still causes concern of the international community. Drugs production and trafficking, organised crime and activities of the local military commanders and their armies remain a major problem in Afghanistan. These worrying trends can only be stopped by the strengthened role of the central Afghan government with the support and engagement of the wider international community.

Another significant issue linked to NATO's role in Afghanistan is the ISAF mission regarding illicit trafficking in drugs. ISAF continues to strive to provide maximum support to the Afghan authorities, which play the primary role in combating drugs (NATO and ISAF only play a supportive role).

Slovenia's contribution to ISAF:

Currently (October 2007), Slovenia contributes 66 members of the Slovenian Armed Forces to the ISAF operation.

In line with Government decision of 12 April 2007, it is already the eighth Slovenian contingent, comprising members of the 2nd motorised company of the 20th motorised battalion of the Slovenian Armed Forces from Celje. Their tasks, equally as the tasks of their forerunners, include the protection of the military base in Herat (in western Afghanistan) and they thus operate at control points, patrol immediate surroundings of the base, and escort vehicles in the narrower Herat area.

In line with Government decision of 28 September 2006, Slovenia donated 10,000 pieces of fully automatic rifles AK-47 and 2,000,000 pieces of relevant ammunition for equipping the Afghan National Army.

More information is available at: http://www.nato.int/issues/afghanistan/index.html

back