Foreign Minister Bert Koenders and Defence Minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert visited Mazar-e Sharif in northern Afghanistan.
Since 1 January 2015 around 100 Dutch military personnel have been stationed there as part of Resolute Support, the follow-on mission to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). It was both ministers’ first opportunity to see for themselves the progress being made in this new NATO mission.
No longer a haven for terrorists
Accompanied by General Tom Middendorp, the Dutch Chief of Defence, the ministers observed a session for Afghan police and army personnel at Camp Shaheen in Mazar-e Sharif. They also saw where Dutch military personnel are housed. ‘At present, the focus is mainly on combating ISIS, but you too are working every day to improve security right here,’ said Ms Hennis-Plasschaert, emphasising the importance of the Dutch involvement in Afghanistan. ‘You deserve a great deal of respect,’ she continued. ‘A well-functioning army and police force are essential for restoring the rule of law. We don’t want Afghanistan to become a haven for terrorists ever again.’
