Rasmussen pointed out that all 50 countries in the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) have signed up to „the basic principle of in together, out together“ in Afghanistan.

„I know that the Australians are committed to that principle as well,“ he added.

But German Defence Minister Thomas de Maiziere told reporters that he was „surprised“ by Gillard‘s statements.

„My Australian colleague reported differently in February,“ he said. „But that can‘t deter us in our strategy to organize the withdrawal until the end of 2014.“

The date is a „smart“ choice, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle argued.

„If you withdraw too early, it is a mistake because the terrorists then can take everything over again like before. That is also a threat to our security,“ he said. „And withdrawing too slowly is, of course, also not right.“