KABUL, Dec. 19 (Xinhuanet) -- "We must work for the welfare and prosperity of Afghanistan without ethnic and regional discrimination. This is our right to get united and struggle collectively for the regaining of the honor of this phoenix, Afghanistan, long live Afghanistan," Afghan president Hamid Karzai said with tears in his face in the inauguration ceremony of the new parliament meeting.

    The ceremony was held Monday in the innovated parliament building in the capital Kabul, with the attendants of 249 members of Wolesi Jirga (Lower House) and 102 members of Meshrano Jirga (Upper House).

    Deeply moved by the inspiring speech of the president, many parliamentary members in the ceremony also couldn't help crying.

    Afghanistan, after 25 years of war, civil strife and imposing Taliban's strict and authoritarian rule, has just been rescued from the torture since the end of 2001 and welcomed the first-ever national assembly after 36 years. Under the joint effort of Afghan people and strong help of the international society, Afghanistan has got great achievements in economy, politics, diplomacy and other fields in the past four years.

    Commenting on his country's economic recovery, he said the GDP(Gross Domestic Product) of Afghanistan was registered 8 percent this year which was 18 percent in the previous year. He also said it's hopeful that the GDP would grow 13 percent next year.

    Highlighting his government's foreign policy, Karzai said, "Afghanistan is no more the isolated country as it was during Taliban regime. Today we have parliament, we have legitimate government, we have 1.5 billion US dollars foreign exchange reserve and we have the international support in rebuilding our country".

    "Our foreign policy is based in mutual cooperation, co-existence, non-interference in others' internal affairs and respect international law," he noted.

    Afghanistan, Karzai asserted has the friendly and strategic partnership relations with the United States which is based on mutual cooperation and joint fight against terrorism and the support of the liberalization of economy.

    The country has signed strategic cooperation with the European Union, the United Kingdom or NATO, and cooperation with Japan is for the benefit of Afghanistan, the president noted.

    Commenting on relations with People's Republic of China, the Afghan leader sang high praise for the friendship between two countries and said "China as an old friend of Afghanistan has significantly contributed in rebuilding our country, so we want to further boost relations with this Asian power."

    He also noted that Afghanistan supports enhancing bilateral relations with India, Pakistan and central Asian states.

    About the development of the national education and national army, the president said over 6.5 million Afghan girls and boys had begun going to school since the collapse of Taliban four years ago while the strength of Afghan National Army (ANA) has reached over 34,000.

    About his government's agenda on terrorism, he said great success has been achieved on the fight against Taliban and called for chocking financial resources of terrorists.

    He also said that Afghan government would continue to fight against drug till its eradication in the country as it earns bad name for Afghanistan.

    With the unsteady domestic security condition and half of the population is illiterate, Afghanistan was staggering the way as the general election for the parliament began from Sept. 18. Taliban militants never gave up attacks with the aim of foiling the coming democracy. More than 1,500 people have been killed since the beginning of this year.

    As a precautionary measure, Afghan troops and police backed by the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and the US-dominated coalition forces stationed in sensitive areas in the city besides patrolling the streets to prevent any untoward incidents.

    Facing the difficult-achieved democratic achievement, Karzai asked all the parliamentary members to put their hands in Holy Koran and give their oath to the beloved Afghanistan and people. "This is your responsibility to serve the people of Afghanistan without discrimination in line with the guidance of Islam the religion and the constitution," he told the newly elected members of parliament while administering their oath. Enditem