The Group of Eight industrialized countries vowed Saturday to assist Afghanistan economically as security for the country is handed over to Afghan troops in coming years. "Our countries will take steps to mitigate the economic impact of the transition period and support the development of a sustainable Afghan economy by enhancing Afghan capacity to increase fiscal revenues and improve spending management, as well as mobilizing non-security assistance into the transformation decade," G8 leaders said in a declaration following a summit hosted by US President Barack Obama at Camp David, Maryland. The leaders stopped short however of making firm financial commitments, which will be agreed at a donor conference in Tokyo in July, according to a report of DPA. They agreed to support the transition process and coordinate security, political and economic strategies. The future of Afghanistan after the withdrawal of combat troops in 2014 is due to be the top theme of discussion at a meeting of the NATO alliance in Chicago beginning Sunday.
