Turkey welcomes moderate statements by Taliban leaders: Erdoğan

Turkey welcomes the "moderate statements" made by Taliban leaders, Turkish President Erdoğan said on Aug. 18. He said Turkey's military presence in Afghanistan will strengthen the new Kabul administration's hand in the international arena.

Thursday August 19 2021 11:11 am

FILE PHOTO: Taliban militants train with their weapons in an undisclosed location in Afghanistan July 14, 2009.

Duvar English - Anadolu Agency

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said that Ankara welcomes the "moderate statements" made by the Taliban.

"Turkey is ready for all kinds of cooperation for peace in Afghanistan, the wellbeing of our kin in the country and the protection of Turkey’s interests," he said on Aug. 18.

He said Turkey's military presence in Afghanistan will strengthen the new Kabul administration's hand in the international arena.

“No matter who is in the administration, standing with Afghanistan in good and bad times is the requirement of brotherhood," Erdoğan said.

On the security of Kabul airport, he said Turkey is making its plans according to the new realities emerging in the field and continuing negotiations accordingly.

Turkey’s priority is to ensure the peace and security of Turks in Afghanistan, Erdoğan said, adding that 552 Turkish citizens have been evacuated from the country so far.

The Turkish President said he will likely talk to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin by the weekend.

Turning to the issue of refugees, Erdoğan said: "We have put in place different measures to strengthen our border security."

He said a border wall will be built on four Turkish provinces at the Iran border -- Ağrı, Hakkari, Iğdır and Van.

The president said parts of the wall in Ağrı and Iğdır were completed and work is halfway through in Hakkari.

"As of now, 157 kilometers [98 miles] have been completed. We will finish all of it," he added.