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German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer has paid a surprise visit to Afghanistan to show her commitment to the peace process in this country.
Kramp-Karrenbauer arrived on February 26 in the town of Mazar-e-Sharif in Balkh province, where most of the German troops are engaged.
Germany is ready to “continue to support Afghanistan during the peace process,” Kramp-Karrenbauer was quoted as saying in a statement.
“Afghanistan urgently needs an agreement between the opposition groups of the society,” Kramp-Karrenbauer said, adding that Berlin’s goal continues to be the regular withdrawal of troops.
Earlier this week, the German government drafted documents for its troops to stay in Afghanistan next year, if needed.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s cabinet approved a new draft mandate on February 24th, allowing German troops to stay there until January 31st.
The current mandate for Afghanistan expires at the end of March, as the new administration of US President Joe Biden is reviewing the 2020 agreement with the Taliban, which provides for the withdrawal of foreign troops by May 1.
The engagement of German troops abroad requires parliamentary approval which is usually guaranteed on an annual basis.
NATO has less than 10,000 troops in Afghanistan, tasked with training and advising Afghan security forces.
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