In the meetings with Karzai and Abdullah, the two sides said they wished to intensify bilateral relations on the political and economic fronts. Grabar-Kitarovic announced the possibility of opening a Croatian consulate or embassy in Kabul.
The Croatian minister congratulated her Afghan hosts on the achievements in political transition and national economy on the basis of the Bonn accords. She informed them of Croatia's contribution to the ISAF international peace mission's civilian and military components and of plans to increase the mission's Croatian contingent from 50 to 150 troops.
"We wish to support Afghanistan in the building of institutions, political reform and democratisation, strengthening of the economy, and the creation of security. Croatia effectively contributes to that within ISAF," she told the press.
Grabar-Kitarovic underlined that Afghan officials and ISAF leaders said the Croatian contingent was "doing an outstanding job and that they are very capable and professional".
She said that with its engagement in Afghanistan and 10 other UN peace missions, Croatia was affirming itself as an active factor of stability in Southeast Europe and on the international front.
During her talks with Karzai, Grabar-Kitarovic conveyed Croatian President Stjepan Mesic's greetings and announced that he would visit Afghanistan this year.
With Karzai and Abdullah, she discussed the possibility of engaging Croatian companies in Afghanistan, for example INA in drilling for oil and gas or Koncar in the production and transfer of electrical power, as well as other aspects of economic cooperation and trade.
The talks also addressed the political and security situation in the region and the negative effects of the crisis in Iraq and Iran on postwar reconstruction in Afghanistan.
Grabar-Kitarovic also visited an elementary school in Kabul and presented pupils with gifts. She also made a financial donation and promised more concrete assistance.
With Women's Rights Minister Jalal, Grabar-Kitarovic discussed the difficult position of women in Afghanistan, their fight for their human and legal rights, health care, education, employment, and social integration.
Grabar-Kitarovic visited ISAF's Croatian contingent at the Warehouse base, 10 km from downtown Kabul.
In Kabul on Friday, prior to returning to Croatia via Qatar, she will meet the European Union's special representative in Afghanistan, Francesco Vendrello and US General Karl Eikenberry, the commander of the Combined Forces Command.