The number of Romanian troops deployed to Afghanistan will significantly drop in 2014, according to Romanian Defense Minister Mircea Dusa.

At the end of June 2013, Romania had around 1,500 troops in Afghanistan.

However that number could drop to around 200 next year as international forces hand security responsibilities to their Afghan counterparts.

The exact numbers of Romanian troops to be stationed in the country will be announced after the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) planning is finished.

In the meantime, the Romanian military will continue its training preparation for deployment in January next year, within the six-month rotation period.

Out of the almost 100,000 troops deployed in Afghanistan, 68,000 are American, 8,000 are British, 4,400 are German, 3,000 are Italian, 1,700 are Polish and 1,500 are Romanian.

Most of the other contributing nations have less than 1,000 soldiers in Afghanistan.

Since August 2003, the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) has been conducting security operations while also training and developing the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF).

Launched in 2011, the transition to full Afghan security responsibility is due to be completed at the end of 2014, when ISAF’s mission will end.

editor@romania-insider.com