Polish president, NATO chief discuss Afghanistan, Russia 12:59, March 13, 2010
The situation in Afghanistan and NATO-Russia relations dominated Friday's talks in Warsaw between Polish President Lech Kaczynski and visiting NATO Secretary- general Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

Kaczynski said after the meeting that NATO was crucial for the safety of Poland, Europe and the world. Commenting on Afghanistan, the president noted that the situation in the country called for " determined steps," but added that there was "cause for optimism" in this respect in 2010.

Kaczynski said Rasmussen as the NATO chief was a guarantee that the Alliance would "remain a consolidated defensive institution." He also supported Rasmussen's view that Russia should not be admitted to NATO.

At Friday's NATO strategy conference in Warsaw, Rasmussen said Russia's NATO membership was "theoretically possible but unrealistic."

Rasmussen thanked Poland for its involvement in Afghanistan and praised the Polish ISAF forces, who in his opinion were "carrying out their duties in an exemplary manner."

Currently there are some 2,000 Polish soldiers stationed in the Afghan province of Ghanzi. Poland plans to increase the size of its ISAF (NATO-led multinational peacekeeping force International Security Assistance Force) contingent to 2,600 soldiers in April.

Rasmussen added that he and Kaczynski had discussed NATO's future strategy and both agreed that the Alliance's main task was territorial defense.

Rasmussen also spoke out for more U.S. involvement in building European security.

Source: Xinhua

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