Readout of President Obama’s Video Teleconference with President Karzai

President Obama spoke with President Karzai today via video teleconference.  The two leaders spoke for one hour and discussed a number of topics, including the successful Kabul Conference, the upcoming Afghan parliamentary elections, renewal of the U.S.-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Declaration, anti-corruption efforts, civilian casualties, and regional relations. Ambassador Karl Eikenberry and General David Petraeus also participated in the video teleconference from Kabul.

Both leaders agreed that the United States and Afghanistan should continue to work together to keep the pressure on the Taliban and to build Afghan capacity.  Both leaders also agreed to continue in our shared efforts to combat violent extremism, protect the Afghan people, improve governance, and deliver basic services, particularly at the local level.  In closing, President Obama reaffirmed that the United States is committed to partnering with the Afghan people to ensure that Afghanistan is a stable, secure, and prosperous country.