Boehner invites Afghan president to address Congress

House Speaker John Boehner invited Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Friday to address a joint meeting of Congress when he visits Washington next month.

Boehner says the speech would give the newly elected Afghan leader a change to talk about the U.S.-Afghan relations going forward. That's at a time when international troops are withdrawing and Afghan security forces have taken over security for the nation.

"Americans and Afghans have worked together for years on a shared mission of bringing peace and security to the region," Boehner's office said in a statement. "This joint address presents an important opportunity to hear from the newly-elected president on how the United States can continue to work together to promote our shared goals and reaffirms our commitment to the Afghan people."

The speech is set for March 25. Ghani will be the second Afghan president to address Congress. Former President Hamid Karzai appeared before a joint meeting of Congress on June 15, 2004.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.