NATO leaders have agreed to maintain funding for Kabul's civilian airport after the U.S.-led withdrawal of allied troops from Afghanistan.
"Recognizing its importance to an enduring diplomatic and international presence, as well as to Afghanistan's connectivity with the world, NATO will provide transitional funding to ensure continued functioning of Hamid Karzai International Airport," the leaders said in a joint communique on June 14 after their summit in Brussels.
They said the alliance will “continue to provide training and financial support to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces” and that the alliance will “retain a Senior Civilian Representative's Office in Kabul to continue diplomatic engagement and enhance our partnership with Afghanistan.”
Spiraling violence and stalled peace talks between the Taliban and the Western-backed government in Kabul have cast further uncertainty over the future of war-torn Afghanistan once U.S.-led international forces leave the country by September 11.