(VOVworld)-The North Atlantic Treaty Organization ( NATO) on Sunday kicked off its 25^th summit in Chicago. The two-day summit, drawing participation of leaders of over 50 countries all over the world, is addressed by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and US President Barack Obama.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization ( NATO) on Sunday kicked off its 25th summit in Chicago

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Rasmussen pledged that NATO will complete security responsibility transition to Afghan forces by the end of next year as well as support for more comprehensive ties among the bloc.

Photo: Internet

President Obama stressed the role of NATO as a driving force for the member countries to ensure security, freedom and prosperity during its 63-year history. He added that the bloc will fulfill their missions in Afghanistan despite French troops withdrawal by the end of this year. President Obama said: “We also predict the vision post 2014, in which we are ending the Afghan war as we understand the results. But hard commitment to friendship and partnership with Afghanistan continues. Loss of lives continues in Afghanistan, and it will be harder ahead. But we are confident that we are on the right track. And what the NATO summit reflects is that the world is behind the strategy we play out.”

At the summit, Afghan President Hamid Karzai said he is looking forward to NATO troops pullback and reiterated that Afghan forces are ready to hand over security control in 2013. Discussions in the summit will cover issues related to Afghanistan, NATO-Russia relations, missile defence, nuclear weapons, policies on national defence cooperation and the world political situation, particularly in the Middle East and the North Africa.