Bulgaria to Take Part in Non-Military NATO Mission in Afghanistan

As of December 31, 2014, Bulgaria will terminate its participation in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) operation in Afghanistan, BGNES news agency reports.

A total of 110 members of Bulgaria's armed forces will take part in the new NATO-led Decisive Support mission in the country starting November 1. The decision will be put to the vote during a government meeting, Wednesday.

Decisive Support aims to train, advise and assist the Afghan national security forces, to develop the Afghan state institutions in cooperation with the Afghan government, partners and other international organizations involved in the region.

The intention to conduct a new non-military NATO mission in Afghanistan was announced at the NATO Summit in Chicago in 2012. Its goal is to build reliable Afghan security forces capable of taking responsibility for the security of the population throughout the country and maintaining the achievements of ISAF after its forces withdrawal.