A meeting of heads of state and government has been held as part of the NATO Summit in Chicago, USA.

The meeting was attended by President Ilham Aliyev.

The 25th NATO summit has been held in the USA after a 13-year break. The meeting, joined by heads of state and government from 28 countries and representatives of international organizations, discussed the strategy for the pullout of international forces from Afghanistan by the end of 2014 and the subsequent handover of control over the situation in the country to national security forces.

In his opening remarks at the meeting, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that the meeting would discuss the future of the state of Afghanistan and the Afghan people.

Speaking about the role of the activities of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, the NATO Secretary General said it had played an active part in the fight against terror. At present, the NATO forces in Afghanistan are handing over their lead responsibility to the national police and the International Security Assistance Force.

In remarks at the meeting, US President Barack Obama praised the work of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan and said that in line with the decision adopted at the alliance’s Lisbon summit two years ago, the process of handing over lead responsibility from NATO to national security forces was ongoing. He said the Afghans were already in control of 75 per cent of their territory.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev made remarks at the meeting.

The President said Azerbaijan had been making effort from the very first years to establish peace and security in Afghanistan. Indicating that Azerbaijan was one of the most active partners of the alliance in this respect, President Ilham Aliyev said the country’s soldiers were still involved in a peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan. Besides, Azerbaijan’s contribution has also included various trainings for Afghan servicemen in different areas.

President Ilham Aliyev said that Azerbaijan would continue providing assistance to Afghanistan until 2014 and beyond if necessary.

After the meeting the heads of state and government posed for a joint photograph.