Readout of the Bilateral Engagement With His Excellency Dr. Ashraf Ghani, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Feb. 29, 2020

Pentagon Press Secretary Alyssa Farah provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper met with His Excellency Dr. Ashraf Ghani, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, ahead of the U.S.-Afghanistan Joint Declaration Ceremony to discuss progress in the peace process in Afghanistan following the successful implementation of the reduction in violence.

Secretary Esper reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to our Afghan partners as the conditions-based U.S.-Taliban agreement is implemented, and as Afghans move forward to work towards a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire during intra-Afghan negotiations. The Secretary also reaffirmed our commitment to our longstanding security relationship with the government of Afghanistan into the future.

Both Secretary Esper and President Ghani agreed that this marks the beginning of the process to achieve a lasting peace for the Afghan people, and security and stability in Afghanistan.