Canadian Foreign Minister Peter MacKay, who is in Kabul on Sunday for a two-day visit, hailed progress of reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan, Canadian media reported from Kabul on Sunday.

MacKay told Canadian Television that the purpose of his trip was to highlight progress that is being made in Afghanistan. He mentioned areas such as infrastructure, micro-credit projects for small businesses, wells being dug and the construction of new schools as tangible proof that efforts are moving ahead.

MacKay countered claims that Afghanistan is sliding into chaos, and said the opposite is happening. He argued that the military is playing a key role by providing a shield, but the centerpiece of the mission is the development work that is happening around the country.

Canada's 2300 troops are based in southern Afghanistan and is an important part of the NATO-led war against Taliban remnants.

Accord to the reports, MacKay met Afghan President Hamid Karzai as well as Canadian forces and aid workers there.

During his one-hour meeting with Karzai, MacKay said he urged the president to focus on strengthening the Afghan National Army and police force.

The foreign minister revealed that he also planned to travel to Pakistan in the next couple of days to meet with President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, during which he will raise the issue of border control and the use of landmines by Pakistan.

Greater cooperation is required from Pakistan for the success in fighting the Afghan Taliban insurgents, he stressed.

Source: Xinhua