Afghanistan and the United States have entered into an "Enduring Strategic Cooperation Agreement." The agreement called for the establishment of a US-Afghanistan Bilateral Commission to work on details of implementation of the agreement. To do this the Afghan Minister of Foreign Affairs visited Washington DC last week and together with the US Secretary of State inaugurated the commission. A joint statement at the conclusion of the meeting was issued that touches on some important social, economic and political issues to be tackled by the commission in the near future. This paper touches on some salient points and issues of importance reflected in the document. On October 3, 2012 the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmay Rassoul issued a joint statement that describes guidelines for the work of the commission and joint US and Afghanistan plans for the continuation of cooperation between the two countries based on what is officially called The Enduring Strategic Cooperation Agreement between the two countries signed earlier by Presidents Barak Obama of the United States and Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan. This recent document is important in that it touches on issues that both sides find of joint interest. On the issue of a military and political transition the statement says: "An inclusive, open and transparent political transition is crucial to the long-term success, progress and stability of a democratic Afghanistan." On the issue of the upcoming elections in Afghanistan the statement notes that: "The United States is to continue to provide technical and financial assistance in support of Afghanistan's elections. Protecting and promoting democratic values and human rights is a fundamental aspect of our long-term partnership." The document goes on to touch on the progress of the transition by stating: "The United States and Afghanistan welcomed the progress already made in the Transition process, with 75 percent of the population living in areas where Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) are leading. As agreed in the Strategic Partnership Agreement, the United States reaffirmed its intention to support the training, equipping, advising, and sustaining of the ANSF. On the most important issue of Afghanistan's efforts for peace the statement says: "The United States and Afghanistan emphasized support for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process, through which individuals and groups break ties with al-Qaeda, renounce violence, and abide by Afghanistan's Constitution, including its protections for the rights of all Afghan women and men." On the delicate issue of Afghanistan and Pakistan's relations regarding cooperation for regional peace the joint statement says: "� both sides discussed enhanced cooperation and coordination with Pakistan through the Afghanistan-Pakistan-U.S. Core Group, which is to convene later this month in the region." On one of the economic aspects the joint statement said: "The United States and Afghanistan reaffirmed a strong commitment to work together to promote regional transit, trade, and investment, and expand economic cooperation, trade liberalization, and people-to-people linkages throughout the region." It further states: "The United States reaffirmed its pledge to encourage American companies, other private investors and regional and international financial institutions to invest in the development of Afghanistan's natural resources and its agricultural and agro-business sectors." The joint statement refers and advises strongly that the government of Afghanistan must take constructive steps towards planning and execution of the recommendations of the Tokyo conference providing for accountability, and planning for a schedule for transparent elections at all levels and work on combating corruption. As per the joint statement there is work ahead to be done by the commission and especially by the Afghan government to realize the objectives of the strategic agreement. Putting all of this together it means another and rather more serious test of not only the ability of the Afghan government to realize the goals set by the strategic agreement and for the commission, but also to have clear plans for taking full responsibility for talks with armed opposition that is mostly the Taliban as well as fighting corruption which was made a condition for the continuation of aid to Afghanistan in the after 2014. The statement for the most part counts on the ball that fo the most part is in the court of the Afghan government. It is hoped now that the Afghan players play their parts smoothly, efficiently, timely and prudently in order to pave the way for Afghanistan' s future beyond 2014, and keeping of a just alliance with the United States that has promised help in many spheres of life of the Afghan people including human rights and especially the rights of women. This window of opportunity must be kept open by considering Afghan sovereignty and dignity in an equal footing to the benefit of the peoples of both countries and the region as a whole. It is utmost important that these plans should also provide for prevention of interference in the affairs of Afghanistan by any of its neighbors. 10/05/2012