Samarkand, Uzbekistan, 19 Muharram,1437 , 01 November,2015, SPA -- A joint communique by the United States and five Central Asian countries on Sunday declared support for Afghanistan and its development as an independent, peaceful state and noted that it was important for the security and stability of the surrounding region, Reuters reported. The communique also stated the intention of the countries to increase cooperation and counter "trans-boundary" threats and challenges such as terrorism. -- SPA 15:02 LOCAL TIME 12:02 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w