BRUSSELS - The United States on Thursday sent another strong signal that it backs Afghanistan and wants all Afghans to reach an amicable political solution quickly.
"We want everyone in the region to know that the United States intends to stand by the people of Afghanistan.

"And, that we want to see all Afghans enter a political process, lay down their arms, absolutely denounce violence, and work together for the betterment of their country," said US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton at a media interaction in Brussels, where she is attending the NATO Foreign Ministers' meeting.

"We also continue to support an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned reconciliation process. Ultimately, we believe there has to be a political resolution to the ongoing disputes among themselves. So the United States strongly supports that and we would like to see progress made," she added.

Clinton said that talks on the bilateral security pact, the Strategic Partnership Agreement between the US and Afghanistan, signed last May, was "off to a productive start ."

"These talks really illustrate our commitment to a post-2014 Afghanistan that can secure itself and to a political process that is able to move Afghanistan further toward democracy and stability that respects the rights of all Afghans, and which puts into writing the partnership that the United States and Afghanistan enjoy," she added.

The first round of negotiations was held on 15th November and there is an agreed date to host the next round with the goal being to conclude an agreement within a year. (Pajhwok)