STRASBOURG , France ( CNN ) -- President Obama hailed the NATO summit in Europe on Saturday , calling the meeting `` very productive '' and praising the alliance 's commitment to the fight in Afghanistan . President Obama , speaking Saturday at the end of the NATO summit , said it was successful . `` Today I 'm confident that we took a substantial step forward to renewing our alliance to meet the challenges of our time , '' said Obama . Speaking to reporters as demonstrators protested against more involvement in Afghanistan , Obama said he was `` pleased NATO allies pledged their strong and unanimous support '' for America 's new strategy in Afghanistan -- which calls for more troops , trainers and civilian workers . He said America 's NATO allies and partners have agreed to supply more combat troops to help shore up security during Afghan elections later this year . More trainers have also been pledged for the police and army , and an expansion of a trust fund to help sustain Afghan security forces is in the works . Obama talked about achieving an increase in non-military assistance , such as doctors , engineers , educators and agricultural specialists . America 's NATO allies are pledging 5,000 more troops : 3,000 for the upcoming Afghan election security , 1,400 to 2,000 troops embedded with Afghan soldiers , and 400 police trainers . This is apart from the 17,000 more combat troops and 4,000 trainers Obama recently committed . Watch how Obama is engaging allies » . `` These commitments have troops , trainers and civilians represent a strong down payment on the future of our mission in Afghanistan and on the future of NATO . '' Obama had been pushing for more NATO troops in Afghanistan , and he was asked whether he thought he got enough combat troops . `` This was not a pledging conference , and yet , we already received the kinds of commitments that historically you do n't see at a conference like this , '' he said . `` This was at a summit that was designed to discuss strategy as opposed to attract pledges , and I think it 's an indication of the fact that this alliance is committed to achieving the focused goals that we have set out in Afghanistan . '' Watch NATO official talk about Afghanistan security » . Along with the focus on the ground in Afghanistan , Obama said the United States and his allies want to help strengthen Pakistan 's ability to fight al Qaeda and `` deliver goods and services and a better life for its people . '' Obama thanked French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel for hosting the conference . Watch Chancellor Merkel 's remarks on conference » . `` I should add that not only were they gracious hosts , but the commitment that they made with respect to Afghanistan , indicate the seriousness of purpose with which they are approaching the NATO challenge and our mission in Afghanistan in particular , '' Obama said . Also at the end of the summit , it was announced that Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen had been named the alliance 's new secretary-general . The decision was unanimous . Earlier in the day , the NATO leaders held symbolic ceremonies to mark France 's return as a full NATO member and to remember those who have died in NATO-led missions during the alliance 's 60-year history . The leaders gathered on a footbridge over the Rhine River separating France and Germany . Merkel and the other leaders walked to the middle from the German side of the bridge . There they met French President Sarkozy and all shook hands , symbolizing France 's re-entry in NATO 's military command more than four decades after it left . Eight jets from the Patrouille Acrobatique de France , an aerial display team , flew overhead trailing the NATO colors of blue and white . The group then walked onto the French side of the bridge for a solemn ceremony to honor the men and women in uniform who have died in NATO missions and operations over the years . Surrounded by the flags of all 28 NATO member states , a lone military bugler played a tune before the place fell silent in memory of the fallen . The NATO alliance has grown at the summit to include two new members , Albania and Croatia . Obama noted that both have contributed troops to the Afghan mission . Noting that Saturday marked NATO 's 60th birthday , Obama said , `` It 's a measure of our vitality that we are still welcoming new members . '' Saturday morning 's ceremony over the Rhine was briefly delayed because Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was deep in conversation on his mobile phone . The other NATO leaders eventually went on without him , and he was absent for both ceremonies . Berlusconi rejoined them in time for a group photo after the moment of silence . After the conclusion of the summit Saturday , Obama plans to head to Prague , in the Czech Republic , the current president of the European Union . In Prague , Obama plans to make a speech on proliferation and ridding the world of nuclear weapons . As many as 30,000 people were expected to turn out for the speech , the first major foreign policy address of Obama 's presidency .
CNN : Obama says the meeting ` ` very productive '' NEW : ` ` I ' m confident that we took a substantial step forward , '' Obama says . NATO is contributing combat troops , trainers to Afghanistan . Also marking France 's return as a full NATO member .