Standing with his counterparts from Afghanistan and Pakistan, President Obama said the three leaders had "reaffirmed their commitment" to confronting the threat of terrorism, and move forward with "unprecedented cooperation."

"We meet today as three sovereign nations joined by a common goal: to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda and its extremist allies in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and to prevent their ability to operate in either country in the future," Obama said in the Grand Foyer of the White House.

He said that in addition to military efforts that he announced last month, there must also be an effort toward a "positive program of growth and opportunity" to support the fragile governments there. He said the United States will support national elections later this year in Afghanistan and seek new economic alternatives to the poppy trade. In Pakistan, he called for "sustained funding" from Congress to support infrastructure as well.

"The United States has made a lasting commitment to defeat al Qaeda, but also to support the democratically elected sovereign governments of both Pakistan and Afghanistan," Obama said. "That commitment will not waiver. And that support will be sustained."

Speaking to reporters later, National Security Adviser Jim Jones said that with regard to Pakistan in particular that "miracles do not happen, so this will not happen quickly." But he said it was a "very warm meeting" between the three.

"They have embraced common themes, an intent to work together, and I think was a very good start," Jones said.

Additional meetings among delegations from the three nations will continue this week.