The incoming Dutch government may consider a new military training mission in Afghanistan, according to sources close to the coalition negotiations.
Daily NRC Handelsblad reported on Friday that the two parties, free-market liberal VVD and Christian Democrats, have reached agreement in principle to again send some 400 to 750 military personnel to Afghanistan.
NATO said earlier this year that it regretted the Dutch withdrawal from Afghanistan before the end of the international mission, and the alliance asked the Netherlands to provide a non-combative police training force instead.
Whether the plan is implemented hinges on the outcome of the protracted coalition negotiations in The Hague, which are expected to be completed before the end of this month. Only then will a new government be formed which is able to decide on a new Afghanistan mission.
© Radio Netherlands Worldwide
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