On December 10, in a joint press conference at the Presidential Palace with Andrus Ansip, Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia, President Hamid Karzai said, “We will need foreign security troops in Afghanistan until it can ensure its security on its own.” The President added, “Without the assistance of these troops in Afghanistan, the world will once again face dangers which will affect everyone.” 

Thanking Estonia for its assistance for security in Afghanistan, the President said, Estonia though geographically distanced from Afghanistan, is helping us as a good partner in areas of security, reconstruction and development. 

Reaffirming his country’s continued assistance to the security and reconstruction of Afghanistan, Prime Minister Ansip said, Afghanistan with the help of international community has made considerable progress over the past five years. The Prime Minister  promised to  provide opportunities of  higher education to Afghan students in Estonia. 

Answering to a question, Estonian Prime Minister said, “Military alone is not the solution to Afghanistan, but the international community and Nato should further work on development and improving Afghanistan’s infrastructures and civil institutions.