South and Central Asia: Remarks With Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Pakistani General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, And Pakistani Foreign Secretary Jalil Jilani Before Their Meeting

SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you very much. We are delighted to be here. I’m honored to be hosting President Karzai and General Kayani, Foreign Secretary Jilani, the members of President Karzai’s – the defense minister, the security advisor, the foreign minister, to have a continuing trilateral discussion with respect to the security and other issues regarding the relationships in the region as well as the road forward heading towards 2014, a critical transformational period. Very, very pleased that the President could travel with General Kayani and Secretary Jilani to take time to be here. We’re very, very hopeful for a productive series of discussions, and we’ll report to you all later. Thank you.

Mr. President.

PRESIDENT KARZAI: Well, thank you very much, my good friend, Secretary Kerry, for arranging this important meeting. And I’m also very grateful that General Kayani and Secretary Jilani found the time to be with us today. And let’s move forward for the best.

SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you. General, you want to say --

GENERAL KAYANI: Sure, Foreign Secretary.

FOREIGN SECRETARY JILANI: Good morning. Thank you very much. This is a very important meeting that they’re gathered here for. We’re extremely grateful to Secretary Kerry and members of his delegation for hosting this meeting. We are moving forward to a very productive and forward-looking discussion (inaudible).

SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you all. Appreciate it. Thank you, very much. Thank you, Mr. President.