Foreign forces cut in Afghanistan, military training to improve

DUSHANBE, September 2 (Itar-Tass) -- Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and
Afghanistan noted that the foreign military contingent in Afghanistan
should be cut, but the international coalitions should pool efforts for a
better training and armament of the Afghan law enforcement agencies.
The presidents of the four countries signed a joint statement in
Dushanbe on Friday. The presidents noted that they support the efforts of
the Afghan government in the policy of national reconciliation and welcome
the responsibility in security being shifted to the Afghan armed forces
within the Kabul peace process. The presidents emphasized that the foreign
military contingent cuts launched in Afghanistan should be followed with
the international coalition to pool its efforts for a better training and
armament of the Afghan law enforcement agencies and the formation of a
sound and stable economy in the country, the joint statement runs.
The presidents noted that the relevant agencies should cooperate more
actively in combating terrorism, extremism and trans-border crime. The
presidents of the four countries noted that relevant international and
regional mechanisms should be used, primarily the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization and the Collective Security Treaty Organization, and regional
and anti-terrorist structures of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
should cooperate closer, the statement runs.