Discussing The Situation In Afghanistan, Putin And Erdogan Strengthen Bilateral Coordination

JAKARTA - Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan discussed the situation in Afghanistan during a telephone conversation. They agreed to strengthen bilateral coordination on issues in the country.

This was conveyed by the Kremlin in a statement on Saturday, August 21, which was reported by Antara.

Putin and Erdogan stressed that their priority was counter-terrorism efforts and the fight against drug trafficking, the Kremlin said.

Taliban militants seized control of Kabul over the weekend, and it has sent thousands of civilians and Afghan military allies fleeing to safety.

Erdogan voiced hope for a smooth transition in Afghanistan and stressed the importance for the Taliban not to repeat past mistakes and keep their promise with an ethnically inclusive approach.

"The new government to be formed in Afghanistan must be inclusive and represent the diversity of the Afghan people," Erdogan told Putin according to a statement issued after the phone call between the two presidents.

On Wednesday, August 18, Erdogan said Turkey still intends to maintain security at Kabul airport after Taliban fighters took control of the Afghan capital.