Foreign Minister Avuşoğlu Says Turkey Is In No Hurry To Recognize Afghanistan's Government Under The Taliban

JAKARTA - Turkey is in no hurry to recognize a Taliban-led government in Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Mevlüt avuşoğlu said Thursday, adding there is gradual engagement between Ankara and the new government in Kabul.

This was stated by Mevlüt avuşoğlu, while presenting the 2022 budget of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and related institutions at the Planning and Budget Committee of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM).

Regarding Turkey's foreign policy towards the Afghan crisis, he said Turkey could not remain silent about the conditions in the country for several reasons.

"Besides historical ties, we have a common ancestor, investment and presence in many fields. Terrorism, migration and drug threats must be eliminated at their source, economic collapse and humanitarian crises must be prevented," he said, quoting Daily Sabah on November 5.

Noting that if the crisis is not managed where it is, the consequences will directly affect everyone, Mevlüt avuşoğlu said: "For this reason, we are following gradual engagement with the Taliban, support in humanitarian issues and active diplomacy in the international arena. What's more, the international community , in general, implemented a policy of gradual engagement with the Taliban. We are not in a hurry, we are following the practice on the ground."

Foreign Minister avuşoğlu said when he met the deputy foreign minister of the Taliban's interim government in Afghanistan, he stressed the importance of building an inclusive and representative government for permanent stability.

A high-level delegation led by Amir Khan Muttaqi, acting foreign minister of Afghanistan's interim government, visited Turkey last month for talks with senior Turkish officials.

This marks the first high-level contact between Turkey and the new government in Afghanistan after the Taliban took power on August 15.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Foreign Minister avuşoğlu said that recognizing the Taliban and engaging with them are two different things. He added that Turkey reiterated the need for an inclusive government and voiced its hopes regarding the security of Kabul Hamid Karzai International Airport.

"They asked us for humanitarian assistance and continued investment there," Foreign Minister avuşoğlu said, adding the Turkish side once again shared its advice on girls' education and women's work in business life.

"Taliban leadership said they will give their best support if they (Afghan migrants) want to return to their country," he also said.

To note, the Taliban say they want international recognition. They warn that a weakening of their government will affect security and trigger a larger exodus of migration from the country.

Taliban officials previously noted that they wanted Turkey to provide assistance and support to the Afghan people and asked to be the first country to officially recognize the new government in Afghanistan.