kabul nato countries strong reason maintain support afghanistan respond u.s. president trump call troop fund alliance secretary general jens stoltenberg say wednesday interest europe nato ally help stabilize afghanistan stoltenberg say visit kabul u.s. defense secretary jim mattis overshadow militant attack kabul airport trump make clear last month expect nato step contribution afghanistan announce tough new strategy taliban militant force however political reaction europe mix little public appetite involvement germany chancellor angela merkel work form government last weekend election conservative party back mission senior figure two likely coalition partner liberal free democrats environmental green express scepticism italy anti-establishment 5-star party rid high opinion poll ahead elections early next year say would pull italy force 1,000 troop germany strong supporter nato mission afghanistan many many years stoltenberg say germany lead nation north afghanistan absolutely certain germany continue provide support stoltenberg say nato assistance aim ensure afghanistan become safe international terrorism reiterate nato troop would return combat role end 2014 would continue train advise afghan force well provide equipment fund go back big combat operations still non-combat operation stoltenberg say afghan force suffer thousands casualties fight insurgency manage difficult situation prevent taliban gain control major provincial center would boost plan strengthen afghan air force special force units setbacks look achieve far able build strong afghan national security force build even strong nato chief say europe interest help afghanistan