KABUL, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Spanish Defense Minister Maria Margarita Robles Fernandez paid a surprise visit to Afghanistan and assured her country's continued support in meeting with President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, said a statement of Presidential Palace released here on Wednesday.
"The Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles met President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani here in Presidential Palace today morning and besides exchanging views on matters pertaining mutual interests also assured that the people and government of Spain will continue to remain alongside Afghans," said the statement.
In the meeting, both sides exchanged views on boosting relations between their countries, the war on terror, Afghan peace process and the role of women in Afghan national reconciliation, the statement added.
The Afghan president, for his part, expressed gratitude to Spain for its cooperation and support to Afghanistan, the statement said, adding that President Ghani also expressed his government's commitment to achieving peace through political dialogue.
A contingent of Spanish forces has been serving in Afghanistan within the framework of the NATO-led Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan.
