(VOVworld) – NATO will maintain a military presence in Afghanistan after its current Resolute Support mission concludes, said NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg Wednesday following a two-day foreign ministers’ meeting in Antalya, Turkey.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg speaks during a news conference at the NATO Foreign Minister's Meeting in Antalya, Turkey, May 13, 2015 (photo:enca.com)

He said the next NATO mission in Afghanistan will involve both a civilian and a military effort. Since January 1, 2015, NATO’s 28 member countries and 14 partner nations have participated in a non-combat Resolute Support mission to train and advise Afghanistan's security forces. They are planning a complete withdrawal by the end of 2016.