Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Russia is ready to help the Afghan government in restoring peace in the war-torn country and fighting terrorism.
"Russia definitely supports efforts of Afghanistan in restoring civilian peace in the country. We back the struggle of the Afghan government against terrorism and are ready to provide aid in this direction," Medvedev told Afghan President Hamid Karzai at an quadrilateral summit in the southern Russian city of Sochi on Wednesday.
The presidents of Russia, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan arrived in Sochi to discuss Afghanistan settlement, the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking as well as regional trade and economic cooperation.
Karzai invited the Russian president to visit Afghanistan. "I hope this will happen as quickly as possible and when your busy schedule allows," he told Medvedev, adding that the visit would boost bilateral economic and cultural ties.
The Afghan leader also expressed condolences to Medvedev following the wildfires in central Russia and the Volga Region which have claimed 53 lives and left over 3,500 people homeless.
SOCHI, August 18 (RIA Novosti)
