Four months out from the official end of the NATO mission in Afghanistan, Australia has yet to decide what forces will remain there in 2015.
Defence Minister David Johnston, who visited Australian troops in Afghanistan en route to the NATO leaders summit in the UK, says Australia remains committed to a contribution beyond 2014.
He believes the current force - some 400 troops advising and mentoring Afghan forces - is a good foundation for the new mission.
A decision on the size and nature of Australia's commitment will take into account NATO plans.
It is also contingent on an appropriate legal basis.
The problem is that the Afghan government hasn't yet signed off on its agreement with the US for the post-2014 mission.
Former President Hamid Karzai declined to sign, saying that was a task for his successor.
But there's as yet no successor with the two candidates Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah stuck in a prolonged stalemate over who won the June 14 election.
Both say they will sign on becoming president.
Australia and other coalition nations had planned to piggy-back on the US agreement with Afghanistan.
Senator Johnston said he reaffirmed Australia's commitment to Afghanistan in a meeting with Afghan national security adviser Rangin Spanta.
In Kabul and Kandahar, he met Australian troops plus coalition and Australian commanders.
"It's a critical time in Afghanistan's security transition," he said.
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