Agreement on Afghanistan: The Danish Helmand Plan 2011-2012

The Danish Government and the Social Democrats, the Danish People’s Party, the Social-Liberal Party and the Liberal Alliance have agreed on a two-year plan for the comprehensive Danish engagement in Afghanistan for 2011-2012 with a view towards 2014. The Helmand Plan involves adjustments of the Danish military engagement towards an increased focus on training of the Afghan security forces. The plan also entails a markedly strengthened police training effort as well as an increase in civilian and developmental contributions to Afghanistan. The Helmand Plan 2011-2012 hence focuses on creating additional security improvements in Afghanistan.

Defence Minister Gitte Lillelund Bech states:
”I am very pleased with the fact that the Danish engagement in Helmand will be adjusted in a 1:1 ratio from combat to training in the beginning of 2012. Both are areas where the Danish soldiers have real and proven skills. Over the coming years, the Danish soldiers will be able to draw on the lessons from the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan when it comes to capacity-building of the local security forces. I am also very pleased that the plan has a long-term perspective, which gives our soldiers the opportunity to finish the job.”

• The presslease in full length
• Fact-sheet on military aspects on the Danish Helmand-plan