Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel said in Brussels on Friday that Slovenia would "continue with its military contribution in Afghanistan and also consider other aspects of support, including non-military aid, as stability cannot be attained merely through the use of military means".
Speaking after a meeting of NATO foreign ministers, Rupel did not specify what Slovenia's contribution would be, revealing only that aid in education and in the training of security forces were among the forms of support being considered.
"Afghanistan is a key challenge for NATO," Rupel said and added that the alliance was cautious about the "challenges, especially those in the south" of the country.
He said that this gave special importance to today's debate on the reservations of some countries with regard to exposing their soldiers to combat operations. "The majority of the countries backed proposals that entail giving up these caveats," Rupel said.
Given that Slovenian units are not stationed in the more restive parts of the country - Slovenia is currently contributing 54 soldiers, who are stationed in Kabul and Herat - these developments are not as pertinent for Slovenia, the minister said.
Slovenia's Ambassador to NATO Bozo Cerar meanwhile said that Slovenia was for now upholding its caveats on the activities of Slovenian troops.
At the November NATO summit in Riga Prime Minister Janez Jansa said that Slovenia would rethink the restrictions, he added however this would not entail their redeployment to the more restive parts of the country.
The Slovenian government decided late last year to increase Slovenia's presence in the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan to 66 soldiers.
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