KABUL (Pajhwok): President Ashraf Ghani says the Biden administration’s decision on withdrawing US troops from Afghanistan is a strategic move.
The Afghan government respected the decision dealing with a new chapter of bilateral friendship, Ghani told reporters in Washington on Friday.
At a joint news conference with Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the US House of Representatives, Ghani referred to the strategic US-Afghan ties and people-to-people contacts and relations at the government level.
“Our discussion has been productive and we look very much forward to the culminating decisions and meeting with the president (Biden) today,” he added.
Ghani praised the speaker’s multiple visits and interest in Afghanistan, particularly her efforts for the empowerment of Afghan women.
Meeting schoolgirls and their resolutions moved him a lot, the president said. “When I ask them, “how many of you want to become president? 80 to 90 percent of hands go up. That is the new Afghanistan.”
He also sought America’s humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan, facing the challenges of Covid-19, a drought and displacement because of brutal attacks by the Taliban.
Pelosi said: “As we enter a new phase of relationship, we look forward to hearing from you how we can do so with humanitarian assistance…”
She confirmed seeing the progress made by Afghanistan and the advancement of women and girls during her nine visits to Afghanistan.
“Our friendship is one that is deep and personal and one that we value. Again, this visit that you are making to the capital is an important one for both our countries, certainly for us. With that, I welcome you Mr. President,” she added.
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