the united nations recently held a delegation from turkmenistan.se efforts, i think everyone recognizes that central asia still has a long way to go in building a more open cooperative, and connected market that fosters true entrepreneurship and delivers benefits to ordinary people. the region remains one of the least integrated in the world with only about 6% its trade during the central asia and as a result, his own people are not benefiting from its enormous potential. that is why it is part of it -- as part of the new silk road initiative, the united a is helping to improve its connectivity, improving trade infrastructure strengthening the links between energy producers, and consumers. and it's why we are helping to build a regional energy market to connect central asia's tremendous supplies of natural gas and hydropower to 1.6 billion energy hungry consumers in south asia. our support for the electricity line will help bring surplus electricity in the region where over 80 million people lack access to electricity. it is noticeable that afghani

we have met with the leaders of pakistan india, turkmenistan emirate, and china, among others. their commitment for building mutual security across nation includes ending the financing and sanctuary for extremist groups. the second initiative is to build up the ability of our armed forces to project their elected government across our entire national territory. our partnership with the united states now transformed into the resolute support mission has given afghanistan a well trained army that is taking the fight to the enemy. we are no longer on the defensive. on december 31, 2014 all combat operations were ended and turned over to afghan security forces. general campbell, has publicly testified in this very chamber that the afghan army's professionalism and morale meet all of the military man's expectation. we will meet the taliban from a position of strength not weakness so that the hard part, gains in education, health, government, freedom and woman's rights are not lost. the third initiative will be our push for national reconciliation. the taliban need to choose not to b

we have met with the leaders of pakistan, india, turkmenistan, emirate, and china, among others. their commitment for building mutual security across nation includes ending the financing and sanctuary for extremist groups. the second initiative is to build up the ability of our armed forces to project their elected government across our entire national territory. our partnership with the united states now transformed into the resolute support mission has given afghanistan a well trained army that is taking the fight to the enemy. we are no longer on the defensive. on december 31, 2014, all combat operations were ended and turned over to afghan security forces. general campbell, has publicly testified in this very chamber that the afghan army's professionalism and morale meet all of the military man's expectation. we will negotiate the taliban from a position of strength not weakness so that the hard part gains in education, health government, freedom and woman's rights are not lost. [applause] president ghani: the third initiative will be our push for national reconciliation. the