Afghanistanian President Ashraf Ghani on Tuesday met with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini on the sidelines of the Tashkent peace conference on Afghanistan, the Presidential Palace said in a statement.

According to the statement, the president thanked the European Union for their assistance and cooperation to Afghanistan over the past few years. He also thanked Mogherini and her accompanying delegation for attending the Tashkent Conference.

Mogherini meanwhile praised Afghanistan for its achievements over the past few years, especially in the areas of regional connectivity, transit and trade, the statement said.

Mogherini said the EU supports the Afghan-led peace process and added that it is ready to cooperate at any stage of the peace process.

The EU will also support meetings held on the initiative of the government and continue to stand by the government and the people of Afghanistan, she added.

During the visit both sides exchanged views on holding parliamentary elections, district council and presidential elections in Afghanistan, provide opportunities for vocational training, supporting women, combating terrorism and economic crimes, the statement said.

Before meeting Mogherini, Ghani addressed the Tashkent conference and said regional countries need to support Afghanistan�s peace efforts especially as terrorists know no geographic boundaries.

In his opening speech at the conference, Ghani said that ties need to be strengthened with regional countries in order to fight terrorism, which is a common threat.

He said Afghanistan will do everything in its power to bring about peace and that the recent Kabul Process meeting had been a clear sign that Afghanistan wants to end the war and to show that international allies support government in its quest.

Ghani called on all regional countries to support the Afghan-led peace process Afghanistan.

The president also discussed the military situation and said large operations have been carried out in the past two weeks to eliminate threats. He said the fight against drug smuggling has also been ramped up Afghanistan.

Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also addressed the delegates and said the fight against terrorism was a common factor for the region and more cooperation was needed.

He also said more cooperation was needed with Afghanistan in the education sector.

On Monday, Afghan political leaders and members of the High Peace Council expressed hope and optimism that a renewed peace effort would emerge out of Tuesday�s Tashkent peace summit.

LINK: https://www.ansarpress.com/english/9848

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