Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Kabul (BNA) Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan met Sunday evening with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, led a high-ranking government delegation in a visit to Kabul.
In the meeting held at presidential palace, both sides discussed expansion of bilateral relations between the two countries, counter terrorism, peace process and human rights in particular women rights in Afghanistan.
President Ghani while welcoming the Australian Prime Minister to Kabul praised for Australia’s financial aid to Afghanistan in various fields, appreciating the country’s 41 soldiers’ sacrifices in Afghanistan.
The country’s President asked the Australian Prime Minister for cooperation with Afghanistan air force in maintenance of technical appliances.
The Australian Prime Minister instructed commander of his country’s military forces to assess the country’s possibilities in this regard.
President Ghani also asked the Australian Prime Minister for his country’s investment in Afghanistan mines and technical cooperation with Afghanistan in management of water.
In the meeting, the Australian Prime Minister asserted that imposed terrorist fighting and violence have much harmed the people of Afghanistan.
He said Australia would increase the number of its forces to 270 in Afghanistan to provide cooperation with the country’s defending and security forces in maintaining security in Kabul.
He also assured of his country’s continued support from development in Afghanistan.
The Australian Prime Minister invited President Ghani for an official visit to Australia and the country’s President by accepting the invitation said he would pay a visit to Australia next summer. According to another report, Chief Executive Dr. Abdullah Abdullah also met with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbullat Sapidar Palace here in Kabul. In the meeting, the country’s chief executive welcoming the Australian Prime Minister to Kabul praised that country for its military and civil cooperation with Afghanistan. Afterwards, the Australian Prime Minister by appreciating the people and government of Afghanistan for their hospitality assured of his country’s support from national unity government of Afghanistan.
