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BRUSSELS: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has announced the appointment of Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo as the Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan.
“I am glad to announce that I have appointed Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo as NATO’s next Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan. Ambassador Pontecorvo will take up his post on 1 June. He brings a long-standing diplomatic experience, including on Afghanistan and the broad regional context,” the NATO chief said in a statement.
“I look forward to working closely with him at this critical juncture for Afghanistan’s future, where all actors need to come together in the interest of peace and to fight the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
Pontecorvo is an Italian national and has served as Italy’s ambassador to Pakistan. He will replace Nicolas Kay and will take u the post on June 1.
Thank you very much for your trust @jensstoltenberg and thanks to @NicholasK111 for your unyielding efforts in support of peace in #Afghanistan. Looking forward to taking up the position as @NATOscr at this important juncture for the country. https://t.co/pfMCknI5Qi
— Stefano Pontecorvo (@pontecorvoste) May 4, 2020
Stoltenberg also thanked Italy for its continued mission in Afghanistan. “I thank Italy for its continued commitment to strengthening the Afghan security forces so that they can create the conditions for a sustainable peace,” said Stoltenberg.
“Italy is a framework nation in our Resolute Support mission, contributing brave and highly-skilled troops, as well as continued funding to the Afghan security forces, and the country’s economic development,” he said.
Stoltenberg further said: “NATO Allies and our partner countries remain firmly committed to Afghanistan’s long-term security, which is important for our own security. I thank our outgoing Senior Civilian representative Ambassador Sir Nicholas Kay for his outstanding service, and his contributions to the cause of peace and security for all Afghans.”
The responsibility of NATO Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan involves carrying forward the alliance’s political-military objectives in the country and the region.
SG @JensStoltenberg appointed 🇮🇹’s Amb Pontecorvo NATO Senior Civilian Rep to 🇦🇫.
His knowledge of the region will be key to preserve the progress achieved in #Afghanistan, a country w/ a long history of friendship with Italy.
Thank you @NicholasK111, good luck @pontecorvoste! pic.twitter.com/0qq1nFXMSI
— Italy at NATO 🇮🇹 (@ItalyatNATO) May 4, 2020
