Foreign ministers from Afghanistan, its neighbors and member countries of the U.S.-led coalition fighting the Taliban, met late Thursday on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly to discuss their strategy for establishing economic stability in the war-torn country.

The high-level meeting was co-hosted by German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Westerwelle said that as the international coalition troops begin to leave, the focus will shift toward long-term political and economic support in the so-called new Silk Road initiative, a reference to Afghanistan's historical place in the ancient trade route.

Clinton said sustainable prosperity in Afghanistan would help undercut the appeal of extremism and benefit the whole region. She said that for political reconciliation to succeed, Afghans must be able to envision a more prosperous, peaceful future.

Afghanistan is struggling with many security issues, such as insurgents and suicide bombings, and the recent assassination of former Afghan President and head of the peace council, Burhanuddin Rabbani, was a blow to reconciliation process.

But Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul said the peace process will go on, insisting the transition process is making progress. Rassoul added that although his country will need international assistance to train and equip security forces, in addition to economic help, the government will take over full control when coalition forces withdraw.