Karzai meets Estonian PM, French minister

KABUL): President Hamid Karzai on Tuesday discussed with the Estonian prime minister and French defence minister the ongoing peace process, security transition and aid pledges held out at Tokyo conference.

Estonian Premier Andrus Ansip called the Tokyo conference very important for Afghanistan’s development and a good example of the international community’s long-term cooperation, the presidential spokesman said.

The conference on Afghanistan’s reconstruction and development took place in Japan’s capital earlier this month, with participating nations pledging up to id=”mce_marker”6 billion in assistance until 2015.

Aimal Faizi told Pajhwok Afghan News Ansip discussed with Karzai the role of troops from his country and security transition from NATO-led soldiers to Afghan forces.

At a separate meeting with the president, French Defence Minister Gerard Longuet promised that France remained committed to bringing stability to Afghanistan. Faizi said the two leaders conferred on the reconciliation drive, security transition and the Tokyo conference.

Longuet expressed pleasure over the launch of the third phase of transition in central Kapisa province, where 3,300 French troops are stationed. So far 87 of them have been killed.

He described the aid pledges in Tokyo important and assured Karzai that Paris would continue with the Afghan troop training mission.

Longuet informed the Afghan leader that the strategic agreement signed between the two countries had been sent to French parliament.

ma/mud

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