Presidential Palace, Kabul - H.E. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, received a phone call today at 6 p.m. from H.E. Tony Blair, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

The fight against narcotics and the Government of Afghanistan's strategy, which is also supported by the international community, were discussed during the conversation.

Noting the progress achieved in reducing poppy cultivation in many areas of Afghanistan recently, the President reiterated his rock-solid commitment to rid Afghanistan of the menace of drugs. Both leaders agreed on the need for international assistance especially in providing alternative livelihoods to the affected communities.

The President also extended an invitation to Prime Minister Blair to visit Afghanistan at some point in the future.

The President will be meeting H.E. Jack Straw, the British Foreign Secretary, who is arriving in Kabul on official visit tomorrow, 16 February 2005. The counter-narcotics implementation plan for 2005 will be the main subject in the discussion between the President and the Foreign Secretary.