MOSCOW — Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Friday said Russia is ready to help modernize Soviet-built industrial facilities and infrastructure in Afghanistan and train Afghan personnel.
Medvedev also voiced hope after talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Moscow that the US-led international military coalition would succeed in stabilizing Afghanistan to let Afghan forces take over responsibility for its security by 2014.
The two leaders said in a statement that fighting illegal drugs is a top priority.
The flow of Afghan drugs is an issue of paramount concern to Russia, which now has 2 million opium and heroin addicts. Moscow has been urging the US military to take stronger action against Afghan drug labs.
