There has also been important progress in the private sector.
These officials say the administration has also made modest but important progress in controlling Medicare spending, the biggest debt driver.
An official in the Afghan embassy described the intervention as "unfair", arguing the country had made important progress in this area.
He said he has seen a subtle shift in U.S. policy in the region, adding, "You've also made important progress in Uzbekistan.
The report said: "Europe has made important progress in harnessing and reinforcing its policies and institutions to recover from a double-dip recession and improve crisis management.
Nevertheless, he pointed to "important progress in the euro zone," where the economic policy changes pushed through in the past three years have begun to take hold.
The International Monetary Fund said last month that Greece had made "important progress in rectifying precrisis imbalances" and that the economy was "rebalancing".
We've made important progress in Afghanistan, and we've begun to transition so Afghans can assume more responsibility for their own security.
Since 9/11 we have made important progress in closing financial loopholes and strengthening international investigation and intelligence cooperation, but there is still a long way to go.
At a news conference in Russia today with President Vladimir V. Putin, President Bush confirmed the capture of Mr. Nashiri and hailed it as a sign of important progress in fighting terrorism.
Masa Nagai, speaking on behalf of UNEP, co-host of the meeting, said: "Countries around the world and the international community as a whole have made important progress in establishing national and international environmental policies.
