KABUL, Afghanistan -- The following joint statement is released by the Headquarters, International Security Assistance Force:
Gen. John Allen, commander of the International Security Assistance Force and Ambassador Simon Gass, Senior Civilian Representative of NATO, welcome the outcomes of the conference in Istanbul on regional security and cooperation for a secure and stable Afghanistan.
The presence at this meeting of Afghanistan's neighbors and its friends and partners from beyond Central Asia shows collective commitment to the security and prosperity of Afghanistan within a secure and prosperous region.
We welcome the start of the Istanbul Process which will, we hope, lead to practical progress towards greater economic and security cooperation in Afghanistan and the wider region.