Agreements between Russia and Western countries on the transit of military and civilian cargo to Afghanistan are Russia's contribution to international efforts in the war-torn country, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Friday.
"As for [Afghanistan] transit agreements, they have been signed with our leading partners, including the Italian Republic... I consider them our contribution to the resolution of very complicated problems facing the Afghan society," Medvedev said during a joint news conference with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi which followed Russian-Italian interstate talks in the Russian Black Sea ski resort of Krasnaya Polyana.
During the talks, the sides signed an agreement on railway transit of arms, ammunition, military equipment and personnel to Afghanistan via Russian territory.
Medvedev told journalists Russia was seeking for Afghanistan to become a modern and effective state, free of violence and illegal drug trade.
"The threats of extremism, religious fanaticism, terrorism and drug trafficking are obvious and we are ready to work together with our partners in the European Union and NATO in order to achieve these goals [of creating a modern and effective Afghanistan]," he said.
Berlusconi said that the signing of the agreement showed Russia was interested in helping the NATO-led international security coalition in Afghanistan.
Italy recently sent an additional 200 troops to Afghanistan to help train local servicemen, the prime minister said, which brings the Italian contingent to some 4,000 soldiers. Further steps are planned in this direction, he said.
"We are sure that we should provide the Afghan government the possibility to ably train its forces, both police and military, as soon as possible... instead of resorting to such forces from abroad," Berlusconi said.
According to U.S. President Barack Obama's plan, the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan is to begin in July 2011. By 2014, Afghanistan is expected to have its own police and military able to provide security to the country's population of some 28 million.
SOCHI, December 3 (RIA Novosti)
