(7 Jul 2012) The Obama administration on Saturday declared Afghanistan the United States' newest "major non-NATO ally," an action designed to facilitate close defence cooperation after US combat troops withdraw from the country in 2014 and as a political statement of support for Afghanistan's long-term stability.
"We see this as a powerful symbol of our commitment to Afghanistan's future and later this year I'm looking forward to convening, along with Foreign Minister Rasul, the new US-Afghanistan bilateral commission to intensify our cooperation," said US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Kabul on Saturday.
Clinton, who arrived in Kabul on an unannounced visit to meet Afghan President Hamid Karzai, disclosed the alliance to diplomats at the US Embassy.
The designation allows for streamlined defence cooperation, including expedited purchasing ability of American equipment and easier export control regulations.
Afghanistan's military, which is heavily dependent on American and foreign assistance, already enjoys many of these benefits.
The non-NATO ally status guarantees it will continue to do so.
Afghanistan becomes the 15th such country the US has declared a major non-NATO ally.
Others include Australia, Egypt, Israel and Japan.
Afghanistan's neighbour Pakistan was the last nation to gain the status in 2004.
The declaration was part of a Strategic Partnership Agreement signed by Presidents Barack Obama and Karzai in Kabul at the beginning of May.
Clinton stressed that, while the US would continue to support Afghanistan," transition is on track, Afghanistan is standing up for itself."
In their meeting, Clinton and Karzai were expected to discuss US-Afghan civilian and defence ties and stalled Afghan reconciliation efforts.
From Kabul, Clinton is heading later on Saturday to Japan for an international conference on Afghan civilian assistance.
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