Kabul, Astana agree to forge closer ties

Karzai is currently in Astana to attend the 10th Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), set for Wednesday. The president is expected to renew his call for increased regional cooperation against terrorism and narcotics.

 

On the eve of the event, Karzai met Nursultan Nazarbayev and discussed with him the overall situation in the region and prospects for Kazakh entrepreneurs’ investment in Afghanistan. The two sides agreed on greater cooperation, particularly closer trade links.

 

The summit agenda and other issues of mutual interest figured at the meeting, according to a statement from Karzai’s office.  On the sidelines of the summit, the Afghan president will meet with his Chinese, Iranian and Russian counterparts. 

 

SCO was founded in 2001 by the leaders of six countries — Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan — as a forum to strengthen regional cooperation.

 

Later, four other countries — India, Pakistan, Iran, and Mongolia — were also included as observers. As a guest, Karzai also participated in the last SCO summit in Tashkent.

 

Karzai is being accompanied by his minister of foreign affairs, advisor national security advisor, spokesman and other officials.

 

pr/mud