Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia and Afghanistan have committed to boost partnership in improving capacities to maintain peace, while supporting the reconciliation process in the conflict-hit latter country, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno LP Marsudi said here on Tuesday.

"Both countries will intensify the partnership in capacity building by offering scholarships; constructing some vital manufactures; and launching several programs of Police joint-trainings, women empowerment, and cleric exchanges," Marsudi stated.

The commitment by the two countries was announced during the Annual Press Conference of Foreign Affairs Ministry 2018.

"In November last year, for the first time in more than 50 years, I had completed a bilateral visit to Kabul," Marsudi remarked.

During the working visit in November last year, the foreign affairs ministers of Afghanistan and Indonesia has signed a grant on building a health clinic as a sign of support from the latter to the former.

The clinic will be built inside the Indonesia Islamic Center compound beside the "Indonesian" mosque.

Ahead of the visit, Indonesian government had welcomed the President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani and the High Peace Council members, as well as the first lady last year.

"We are pleased and honored to lend our hands to the brothers and sisters in Afghanistan in order to help them build peace," Marsudi emphasized.

Since 2001, after the WTC in US was bombed, Afghanistan had been hit by numerous wars and armed conflicts committed by some militant groups, once led by Al-Qaeda, and the Afghan troops, which were backed by NATO.

In 2011, the number of US troops deployed in Afghanistan had reached 130 thousand, but under the Barack Obama administration, the number has been significantly cut, handing over the major control to Afghan military in 2014.

Reported by Yuni Arisandy
(Uu. KR-GNT/INE/B003)
EDITED BY INE

Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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