(Nato.int) - During a visit to Berlin, 25 October, NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer repeated his call for the entire international community to remain engaged in Afghanistan.
The Secretary General met with Chancellor Angela Merkel, Defence Minister Franz Josef Jung, Members of the Parliamentary Defence Committee, and addressed the 50th anniversary celebration of the German Atlantic Association, reports Trend.
He also discussed preparations for the upcoming meeting of NATO Heads of State and Government in Riga, Latvia, 28 and 29 November.
The Secretary General said Afghanistan was NATO's most important mission and called on the entire international community to remain engaged in the country.
He stressed that stabilisation required not only a military component, but effective contributions in civil areas and development.
Mr. De Hoop Scheffer also said that he would welcome increased coordination between NATO the UN, EU, G8 and other actors in the area of development and reconstruction.
During his visit, the Secretary General also discussed and welcomed the new German Defence Review, which was presented today by Defence Minister Jung.
The Secretary General praised Germany as the second largest troop contributor for NATO's operations.