Turkey assures Afghanistan of Pakistan’s support

KABUL: Turkey has assured Afghanistan that it would take steps to secure peace in the war-torn country, including by ensuring support from Pakistan for the reconciliation process, Afghan authorities have said.

Turkey's Ambassador to Kabul Cihad Erginay called on Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar on Thursday morning, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry.

During his conversation with Erginay, Atmar emphasised the importance of Ankara's constructive role in the success of the Afghan peace process, given Turkey's regional and international position.

For his part, Erginay spoke of Turkey's cooperation with Afghanistan in various fields in the light of the recent NATO summit declaration on the continuation of support after the ongoing withdrawal of NATO-led international forces from the country, it added.

According to the statement, Erginay assured Ankara's continued support and clarified that Turkey's armed forces would withdraw from Afghanistan to achieve lasting peace and stability.

The Turkish government is working to attract the support of regional countries, especially Pakistan, to achieve lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan, it added.

Taking charge last month, the newly-assigned Turkish diplomat in Kabul has so far held a series of introductory meetings with senior Afghan officials, politicians and civil society representatives, including vice president Amrullah Saleh, High Council for National Reconciliation chairman Abdullah Abdullah, National Security Adviser Hamdullah Mohib, former president Hamid Karzai, Hezb-e-Islami chief, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, Jamiat-e-Islami chief Salahuddin Rabbani and top Afghan peace negotiator Masoom Stanekzai.