U.S. And U.K. Promises To Support Afghanistan Government

During an international conference held in London on Thursday representatives of the United States and the United Kingdom joined officials from other countries in expressing their support for the development of Afghanistan, Newsweek reported.

The gathering was conducted in preparation for NATO's departure from the country. By the end of this year, majority of the international alliance's forces will leave Afghanistan. Around 12,000 soldiers will remain for peacekeeping duties.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani noted that his administration is focused on improving the condition of the country as the presence of terrorists in Afghanistan dwindles, according to the Associated Press.

"History will not be repeated," he said during the conference. We have overcome the past."

"We hope that we will never need direct combat support [again], because the last thing we want is more blood," Ghani added. "Peace is a top priority for us."

In response, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry assured Ghani that the best way for Afghanistan's allies to help the country is through improving its political structure as well as maintaining national security.

"We are committed to ensuring that Afghanistan can never again be used as a safe haven from which terrorists can threaten the international community," he said. "We know that the most effective way to advance this objective is to support Afghanistan's political unity and its security."

 U.K. Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond also called on the delegates of the conference to continue its support for Afghanistan's government in order to speed up the country's development.

"Today, we must reaffirm that commitment to support the Afghan people as they develop their economy, realize their rights and connect with their region," he said as part of his speech during the gathering.

However, Hammond reminded Ghani that Afghanistan must honor the promise it made during a 2012 meeting held in Tokyo.

As part of the agreement established during the Tokyo conference, Afghanistan must effectively use the financial support provided by other countries to improve the overall condition of the country.

"But there are two sides to the commitment," Hammond said. "The Afghan people and government in line with the Tokyo agreement must demonstrate to the taxpayers of donor countries that their assistance is being used wisely."