KABUL CITY - Foreign ministers of Japan, Germany, France and India on Sunday assured President Hamid Karzai of continued support for Afghanistan. A statement from Presidential Palace in Kabul said the separate meetings took place on the sidelines of the day-long Tokyo Conference in Japan.

The meetings focused on successful holding of the conference, world support for Afghanistan, development of the country during the transformation decade and strengthening of state institutions. The war on corruption, next presidential and parliamentary elections and a greater role for women in different spheres of life also figured at the meetings.

Karzai said his administration had prioritized protection of human rights, including the rights of women and girl rights. Fighting administrative graft was a top priority of his administration, he added. The statement quoted Karzai as saying: "We need more cooperation from the international community in the fight against corruption.''

The Japanese minister said his county would give $3 billion in aid to Afghanistan over the next three years. The German foreign minister stressed continuation of assistance. Similarly, the French minister announced they would expand a hospital in Kabul and construct a medical training center next to it. The India minister said the Tokyo Conference had shown that Afghanistan enjoyed strong support from the international community. "We remain committed to a strong Afghanistan.'' (Pajhwok)