Mr. Speaker, today our Minister of Foreign Affairs was in Bonn, Germany, to discuss the future of Afghanistan. During this conference, the minister took part in a round-table discussion with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the European Union's foreign representative Catherine Ashton, and members of the Afghan Women's Network.
Efforts to bring lasting and durable peace to Afghanistan should involve dialogue with all parts of Afghan society, including women and religious minorities. The Minister of Foreign Affairs has brought this message throughout his travels to Libya and the Middle East. The role of women is an essential component to progress on human rights and democratic development.
We will continue to speak out on the world stage and we stand with the women of all emerging democracies that seek to make a difference.