Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in Dushanbe for the summit
September 02, 2011
At a regional summit today, the presidents of Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan urged the NATO-led coalition in Afghanistan to step up the training of local security forces as it completes its planned staged withdrawal.Tajik President Emomali Rahmon hosted Russia's Dmitry Medvedev, Pakistan's Asif Ali Zardari, and Afghanistan's Hamid Karzai for talks in the capital, Dushanbe.
In a joint statement after the talks, the leaders said that the "reduction of foreign military presence in Afghanistan should be accompanied by adequate increase of efforts by the participants of the international coalition for training and arming Afghan national security structures."
The four also agreed to work more closely to combat extremism and drug trafficking along with organized crime.
They stressed the need to enhance regional trade and cooperation on energy projects and transport corridors.
The statement said Pakistan offered to host the next meeting of the four nations but did not specify a date.
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