KABUL - President Hamid Karzai said the signing of the long-term strategic agreement with Germany opens a new chapter in the friendly relations with the European nation, the president's office said on Thursday.
Karzai and German Chancellor Angela Merkel signed the cooperation pact between both nations in Berlin on Wednesday.

Karzai, in a joint news conference with Merkel said: "Signing the pact opened a new chapter of friendly relationship with Germany."
He thanked Germany that will provide Afghanistan 150 million euros (9.5 billion afs) in annual assistance under the new agreement.

In his speech, Karzai welcomed German investors to take advantage of investment opportunities in Afghanistan, said the statement issued by Karzai's office.
At the same occasion, the German Chancellor said "this agreement will make the future of Afghanistan better," adding that the annual aid would be used to train Afghan security forces.

During the visit, Karzai and Foreign Minister Dr. Zalmai Rassoul also held talks with German federal minister for economic cooperation and development on improving two-way ties.

Karzai will leave to the US to participate in the Chicago Summit, from May 20-21, where world leaders would map out long term assistance to Afghanistan -- after the exit of NATO's troops in 2014.
Germany is the sixth country Afghanistan signed the strategic deal, after concluding similar accords with India, Italy, France, Britain and the US. (Pajhwok)