WASHINGTON - US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter met President Ashraf Ghani discussed the security environment in Afghanistan on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said on Friday.
“In their meeting, Carter and Ghani discussed the ongoing mission to train, adviseand assist the Afghan forces as they confront the Taliban, secure their countryand work closely with the US to prevent terrorist groups from using Afghanistan as a safe haven,” Cook said.
In a statement, the Pentagon spokesman said the two leaders discussed the current security situationand the important role Afghanistan's new A-29 aircraft would play in the future.
Carter welcomed Ghani's appreciation of the continuing sacrifice of American forces and President Barack Obama's decision to maintain a significant US military presence in country, both in 2016 and beyond.
They also discussed Afghan international outreach efforts in advance of the July 2016 NATO Warsaw Summit.Carter underscored US commitment to the enduring defence partnership with Afghanistan.‎ They agreed to continue close coordination between the two countries.
In Paris, General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the Afghan mission enjoyed universal NATO support.
Noting there was still work to be done, he said Afghanistan needed support from the alliance. "We still think that the campaign can be moved in a positive direction," he told reporters. (Pajhwok)