Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - Office of the President

On December 17, President Hamid Karzai received Michele Alliot-Marie, French Defence Minister, at the Gul Khana Palace.

The fight against terrorism, the security situation in Afghanistan and the region, the current situation in Pakistan and North Waziristan, Afghanistan’s reconstruction, the setting up of a “Contact Group”, and other issues of mutual interest were discussed in detail.

President Hamid Karzai thanked Defence Minister Alliot-Marie for the assistance of France to the people of Afghanistan and expressed his comments about key factors causing insecurity in Afghanistan, instability in the region, and the current situation in North Waziristan.

Defence Minister Alliot-Marie assured President Hamid Karzai of the continuation of her country’s assistance in all spheres and said, “France will soon set up a military center in Kabul where Special Forces of the Afghan national army will receive training. The center will enhance the capacity of the Afghan armed forces so that they will be able to deal with the terrorists on their own. We will also train Afghan pilots.”

Defence Minister Alliot-Marie also briefed the President on the concept of the Contact Group and said, “Representatives of major donor countries will gather under the umbrella of this Contact Group to take key decisions about different aspects of Afghanistan’s reconstruction.”