US, Afghanistan Launch Bilateral Commission

Posted October 3rd, 2012 at 9:05 am (UTC-5)
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The United States and Afghanistan are launching a bilateral commission as part of a strategic agreement signed earlier this year.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is set to hold talks with Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul at the State Department Wednesday.

The strategic deal signed in May outlines the future relationship between the two countries, as U.S. combat troops complete their withdrawal from Afghanistan by the end of 2014.

The agreement covers cooperation in the areas of security, economic development and governance. It does not commit the U.S. to any specific troop presence, but pledges American aid for Afghanistan for at least a decade after international combat troops leave the country. An unspecified number of U.S. military personnel are expected to remain in Afghanistan to continue training and advising Afghan security forces.

Both countries are also expected to begin negotiations on a Bilateral Security Agreement that will supersede the current Status of Forces Agreement.