Italy Foreign Minister: We Are Staying in Afghanistan

Published January 14, 2015

Italy's foreign minister says his government isn't preparing an exit strategy for Italian troops in Afghanistan but that more money must be spent to help win the trust of the people.

Earlier this month some politicians, including a fellow minister in Premier Silvio Berlusconi's government, called for Italy's soldiers to come home soon after six troops were killed in a Kabul bomb blast.

Foreign Minister Franco Frattini also told parliament's foreign affairs commission Tuesday that there can be dialogue with Taliban who renounce violence and don't have any ties with Al Qaeda.

Italy sent 2,800 troops to help with Afghan reconstruction. Frattini says more reconstruction funds are vital to "conquer the hearts and trust" of Afghanistan's people.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/story/italy-foreign-minister-we-are-staying-in-afghanistan