Voice of America
21 Jun 2021, 23:35 GMT+10
ISTANBUL - Turkey is seeking to play a vital role in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of US forces by offering to provide security to Kabul's international airport. But Ankara faces formidable obstacles.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says the operation and security of Afghanistan's Kabul airport are vital not only to the country but also to the survival of all diplomatic missions, including Turkey's.
Cavusoglu made the comments Sunday at an international meeting at the Turkish sea resort of Antalya.
Attending the Antalya meeting, Afghan Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar said he supports Turkey's offer to provide security to Kabul's airport.
"We welcome it, and we will support it. We believe that this will be essential for the continuation of Turkish and NATO, as well as the international community's support to Afghanistan," he said.
But Atmar played down any military role for Pakistan in the Turkish mission.
Last week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan - speaking at the NATO summit - said Hungarian and Pakistan forces would assist Turkey in providing security to the Kabul airport.
The Taliban has said it opposes any foreign forces remaining in Afghanistan, but Ankara believes it can overcome such opposition.
While the Turkish military is part of U.S.-led NATO operations in Afghanistan, it has avoided armed confrontations.
Hikmet Cetin, who served as NATO's senior civilian representative in Afghanistan, says Turkey has successfully maintained good relations with all sides in the conflict.
"When I was there, of course, I [talked] sometimes with the young generation of the Taliban. They respect Turkey very much because the relation between Turkey and Afghanistan started during the 1920s. But [the] Taliban, they were disagreeing with Turkey being part of the foreign military forces, part of NATO," he said.
Turkey is looking to its close allies Pakistan and Qatar to use their influence over the Taliban to ease their opposition to the proposed Turkish role.
On Monday, Pakistani Foreign Minister Mehmood Qureshi said Erdogan had invited Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan for talks on Afghanistan. Qureshi warned the Afghanistan peace process was at a critical stage. The Taliban is stepping up its military operations across the country as American forces withdraw, a process that is due to be completed by September 11.
Turkish officials are in talks with Washington for financial and logistical support. With Turkey's relations with its many of its Western allies strained and in need of repair, the country's airport initiative could provide crucial common ground, says Huseyin Bagci, head of the Foreign Policy Institute in Ankara.
"It's very risky, but nothing can be better for American-Turkish relations to put Turkish troops in Kabul airport. The key problem is [the] Taliban but they can make a deal," he said.
Analysts warn that with formidable obstacles remaining in the way of Turkey's plans for the Kabul airport mission, time is running out before the September 11 deadline for U.S. withdrawal.
Get a daily dose of Irish Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Irish Sun.
More InformationAlready under siege, the heavily-blockaded Gaza Strip, housing more than two million displaced people, as well as the remaining Israeli...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced new visa restrictions. The policy will apply to foreign government...
LOS ANGELES, California: Former Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley lost her bid to get her job back after being fired by Mayor...
Last Sunday, the Israeli-Palestinian co-production No Other Land was awarded an Academy Award for best documentary. The Oscar – a first...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Supreme Court is to hear arguments in a case that could determine the future of nuclear waste storage in the...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Multi-billionaire Elon Musk, a close adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, has welcomed his 14th child. His newest...
FRANKFURT, Germany: Germany is set to loosen its strict debt limits in a historic shift that could unlock over 1 trillion euros ($1.08...
ROME, Italy: Italy's agricultural sector is bracing for a major hit as U.S. tariffs threaten exports of iconic products like Prosecco...
DUBLIN, Ireland: The Irish government is preparing for potential economic fallout from new U.S. tariffs, as concerns grow over President...
DUBLIN, Ireland: Drivers in Ireland overpaid more than 350,000 euros in tolls last year across nine motorways and tunnels, according...
DUBLIN, Ireland: Ireland could face fines of up to 27 billion euros for failing to meet EU emissions targets, a new report has warned....
DUBLIN, Ireland: Homelessness in Ireland has reached an all-time high, with 15,286 people in emergency accommodation in January 2025,...