This handout photograph taken on April 15, 2021 and released by Press office of President of Afghanistan shows Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani during a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (not pictured) in Kabul. (AFGHAN PRESIDENTIAL PALACE / AFP)
KABUL – Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, leading a high-level delegation, left for the United States on Wednesday night, the Afghan Presidential Palace confirmed on Thursday.
Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani will discuss with the US side about the new chapter in relations between the two countries, strengthening of diplomatic relations and support of Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF), the Afghan Presidential Palace said in a statement
During his stay in the United States, Ghani will meet with US President Joe Biden, members of the US Congress as well as other influential personalities, the palace said in a statement.
The president will discuss with the US side about the new chapter in relations between the two countries, strengthening of diplomatic relations and support of Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF), the statement added.
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The two sides will also discuss cooperation of the United States in Afghanistan's economic and development sectors and the joint fight against terrorism, according to the statement.
The president is accompanied by Afghan First Vice President Amrullah Saleh, Chairman of High Council for National Reconciliation Abdullah Abdullah, Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar and Afghan National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib, among others, the statement noted.
The trip came as violence lingers in war-torn Afghanistan as the US and NATO troops have been leaving the country.
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About 3,500 US forces and 7,000 NATO troops will be withdrawn before Sept 11, the day which is the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that drew the United States into war in Afghanistan.