KABUL (SW): The U.S. Vice President Mike Pence has spoken with the Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani by phone over various issues.
Vice President Pence and President Ghani discussed the political leadership in the Balkh province. The Vice President emphasized his support for the Afghan government to engage with Balkh Governor Atta and conduct a peacefully negotiated transition of leadership, the White House has noted.
Preident Ghani, while thanking the United States for cooperation, said reforms and partnerships are part of the commitment to the people of Afghanistan, and the government has taken steps in this direction, the Arg (Presidential Palace) in Kabul noted in a statement.
The two sides also discussed the security situation in Afghanistan and the impact of President Trump’s South Asia strategy. VP Pence and President Ghani commended the bravery and sacrifices that U.S., Coalition, and Afghan soldiers have made in fighting the insurgency and international terrorists, such as ISIS and al-Qaida.
Vice President Pence and President Ghani reaffirmed the enduring bonds and close alliance between the United States and Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, the Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani, president of the Jamiat-e-Islami party, has welcomed VP Pence’s emphasis on a practical, negotiated and peaceful resolution to the issue concerning the leadership in Balkh province.
The discussion between the U.S. VP and the Afghan President was a continuation of the dialogue that the Vice President had with Ghani and Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah in Kabul last month. The Vice President highlighted Kabul’s continued engagement and critical progress on necessary reforms, political inclusion, and preparations for forthcoming elections.
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