President Ashraf Ghani met with a group of US senators on the sidelines of the 56th Munich Security Conference on Saturday afternoon and discussed the Afghan peace process, the Presidential Palace said in a statement.

“Chairs of the armed service, environment and public works, banking and urban affairs, and budget committees attended the meeting and discussed a range of issues, particularly the Afghan peace process, expanding and consolidating Afghanistan-US strategic relationship and continuing the US support for Afghanistan,” the statement said.

Those present raised questions on the peace process as well as the reduction of US troops in Afghanistan and the impact of both on Afghanistan.

At the meeting, Ghani addressed the topics of terrorists’ safe havens, a cease-fire, and achieving a sustainable peace in the country, which? he claimed, is the fundamental demand of the Afghan people.

The president called terrorism the main threat posed to Afghanistan, the US and the entire region, and called for a joint commitment to fight terrorism, recalling Afghanistan’s fight against Daesh.

Ghani reiterated that peace is the top priority of the government and demand of the Afghan nation. He stressed that the people of Afghanistan support the expansion of relations between Afghanistan and the United States.

He added Afghanistan is willing to expand its strategic relationship with the United States as a partner, rather than as a burden.

 “We need to fully understand the possible risks on the way to peace...but we welcome any initiative enabling us to get closer to peace,” Ghani said.