BSA and SOFA welcomed

The signing of the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) between the United States and Afghanistan, which establishes the legal framework for the launch of a new mission in Afghanistan as early as next year, and the signing of NATO Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) have been hailed as positive developments. The adoption of the agreements is the key to launching a new NATO non-combat mission after 2014, with Slovakia, too, set to join the initiative. “At the NATO Wales Summit we declared that we remain committed to helping Afghanistan and will join NATO's Operation Resolute Support as soon as all the formal steps have been taken,” said SVK Minister of Defence Martin Glváč. As part of the new mission, up to 66 SVK Armed Forces members are expected to deploy on operations in Afghanistan on a 6-month rotational basis. “This will depend on the realistic requirements and the approval of the mission mandate by the SVK National Council,” emphasized the Minister. Under the new NATO non-combat mission arrangements, our troops will be tasked with mentoring and supporting the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF).