Secretary of State John Kerry promised US and allied support for Afghanistan as the country's new leaders outlined reform plans on Thursday, even as they struggled to bring peace while foreign combat forces withdraw.
"We have a government in Kabul that merits our confidence," Kerry told an international conference in London, with President Ashraf Ghani and chief executive officer Abdullah Abdullah.
The conference is not focused on new cash pledges, but instead on providing a platform for Ghani and Abdullah, joined by Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and British Prime Minister David Cameron.
It comes after the two agreed to form a national unity government in September and as US-led foreign forces end a 13-year combat mission amid a spike in Taliban attacks against international targets in Kabul.
Ghani wants to implement a national "strategy of self-reliance", including tackling corruption, improving security and governance plus boosting exports.
Kerry praised Ghani and Abdullah for putting aside their own political differences in favour of creating a united vision for Afghanistan's development, following the presidency of Hamid Karzai, in whom Western confidence wore thin.
"We are confident that the policies outlined today will result in a more stable, prosperous Afghanistan. This is really an extraordinary moment. It's a moment of transformation," Kerry said.
Sharif outlined a nine-point plan for Afghanistan's development, centred on strengthening regional economic ties.
"Pakistan remains in strong solidarity with the people of Afghanistan," he told delegates.
"I share with President Ghani my vision of a comprehensive and enduring partnership between Pakistan and Afghanistan," he said, where terrorism would be fought as a "common enemy".
British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond spoke of Afghanistan entering a "transformation decade" where it would take the lead in handling its own development, but warned of huge challenges ahead.
Many diplomats are now hoping to reset relations under the former World Bank economist, although he has yet to appoint any new ministers to his government.
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