Kabul, Jakarta Sign Multiple Agreements

Afghan President Hamid Karzai

Afghanistan and Indonesia have signed agreements on political, economic, and cultural cooperation in a bid to enhance ties.

The agreements were signed on the island of Bali following a bilateral meeting between Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

The agreements included one on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and service passports and another on bilateral consultations as well as on cultural exchange programs.

Karzai, who was in Indonesia this week to attend the fifth Bali Democracy Forum, called Indonesia an old friend and hailed its efforts toward promoting democracy in the world.

Yudhoyono, meanwhile, said Indonesia will offer Kabul assistance in techniques of governance and agriculture as well as help with empowering women in the war-torn country.