On January 14, President Hamid Karzai received Gianni Vernetti, Italian Deputy Foreign Minister at the Gul Khana Palace.

Both sides discussed issues related to security in Afghanistan and the region as well as fight against terrorism and narcotics.

Reaffirming his country’s continued assistance to Afghanistan, Vernetti said, “Helping Afghanistan is one of the important priorities for Italy. Italy is fully committed to helping ensure security, judicial reform, the rule of law and training of the Afghan border police.”

Mr. Vernetti talked about his country’s decision on holding an international conference on Afghan judicial reform program in which more help from donor countries will be expected.

Thanking Italy for its contributions to Afghanistan in the last five years, President Karzai called Italy’s assistance in the areas of security, judicial reform and rule of law as vitally important and hoped such assistance continues.

Speaking on security situation in the country, President Karzai applauded the tireless efforts made by security forces in Afghanistan that have resulted in a considerable reduction in the terrorist activities. The President continued, “Reconstruction process is well underway and police reform continues with the recent senior appointments in the Ministry of Interior.

President Karzai went on saying, “The international community strongly supports Afghan government in its counterterrorism efforts. The realities coming out indicate that Afghan government is right in its anti-terror move.” Emphasizing on the effective fight against narcotics, the President asked for a joint struggle against the phenomena as narcotics and terrorism are interlinked threatening humans’ life.

The President urged that international community needs to target the root causes and sources of financial, training and equipping facilities for terrorists and it is then that the people live in a fear-free world.