In spite of recent strained relations between Kabul and Washington, Afghan President Hamid Karzai will still visit President Obama at the White House on May 12, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”

“And we’re looking forward to his visit,” Clinton told host Bob Schieffer in an interview conducted Friday at the Pentagon. “We consider him a reliable partner.”

The White House last week suggested it might cancel Karzai’s visit because of their frustration from some of his recent remarks. [Karzai accused the international community of interfering with the presidential election in Afghanistan last year, and he threatened to join the Taliban insurgency if the U.S. continues to pressure him about government corruption.]