In Afghanistan, Turkish FM stresses continued support

By Sayed Khodaberdi Sadat

KABUL (AA) – Turkey will continue supporting Afghanistan, said Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, adding that Ankara could deploy more soldiers in Afghanistan if needed.

Cavusoglu made the remarks on an official visit to Afghanistan's capital Kabul on Thursday.

According to diplomatic sources speaking anonymously due to restrictions on speaking with the media, Cavusoglu first met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in his offices.

During the meeting, Ghani thanked Cavusoglu for Turkey's military support, mentioning the longstanding close relationship between Turkey and Afghanistan.

Cavusoglu said Turkey's support for peace in Afghanistan would continue.

Cavusoglu also met with Afghanistan’s chief executive, Abdullah Abdullah, who shares executive power with Ghani.

Abdullah stressed that Afghanistan and Turkey share religious and cultural ties and that he hopes these ties are strengthened.

Cavusoglu later met with his counterpart Salahuddin Rabbani.

In a press conference afterwards, Cavusoglu said Turkey is eager to improve economic relations by bolstering development projects in Afghanistan.

Rabbani, for his part, said they discussed counter-terrorism efforts, trade, and the economy and added:

"Turkey has provided $277 million in financial aid to Afghanistan since 2001. The trading volume between the two countries in 2012 was nearly $300 million. We will increase this amount. Turkey is also helping Afghanistan in educational areas. A number of young Afghan people have been trained in Turkey in both the military and other fields".

*Anadolu Agency correspondent Sibel Ugurlu contributed to this report from Ankara