Russia is ready to continue equipping the Afghan army and police force, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told an International Conference on Afghanistan on Tuesday.
"We are working with our partners on additional measures for supplying the Afghan army and police and expanding cooperation in training personnel for the Afghan armed forces," Lavrov said.
Tuesday's International Conference on Afghanistan in Kabul is playing host to a range of participants from over 70 countries. Topics on the agenda for the talks include the restoration of the impoverished country's economy, the improvement of living standards and state regulations, human rights and security issues, and the country's cooperation with the international community and regional states.
Participants are also discussing the timeframe for troop withdrawal by the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force.
Lavrov said in 2010 that Russia has written off a $891 million debt, owed to it by Afghanistan, bringing the total of Russia's cancelled debts to $12 billion.
He said Russia will continue its cooperation with Afghanistan in several spheres, including the fight against drug trafficking and global terrorism, and training servicemen for the Afghan armed forces.
"We will henceforth assist in forming the Afghan armed forces, including by increasing the number of Afghan police officers, trained in Russia, who contribute to the restoration of the country's economy," the minister said.
KABUL, July 20 (RIA Novosti)
