Calls There Is Progress On Discussions On Kabul Airport, Taliban: We Respect Turkey's Foreign Policy

Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen second from right. (Twitter/@suhailshaeen1)

JAKARTA - Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen said they wanted to cooperate with Turkey, a country with historical ties to Afghanistan.

Touching on the deep-rooted relations between the two countries, the Taliban spokesman said they wanted to cooperate with Ankara in many areas. He noted that Turkish engineers and others working in Afghanistan have contributed to the country.

"We want to strengthen and enhance that relationship in the future," Shaheen quoted Haberler's Daily Sabah of Sept. 13 as saying.

Potential areas of cooperation could include education, construction and the economic sector, through investments, which Shaheen said would create jobs for the community.

Responding to a question about how the Taliban views President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's foreign policy, Shaheen said, each country has their own policies that are shaped according to the best interests of their nation.

"We respect that (foreign policy)," he said, adding every country has the right to shape its own policies, with the Taliban wanting to focus on common interests and goals.

Shaheen further said the Taliban would retaliate for the way Turkey approached their rule. If the state approaches them as 'Muslim brothers', then they will respond in the same way and welcome them.

"We consider Turkey as a Muslim brother country," said Shaheen.

The Taliban spokesman also said there was progress related to the operation of Kabul airport amid ongoing talks between Turkey and Qatar. He said they hoped the airport would be operational in a few days.

Last month, the Taliban said they had asked all countries, especially Turkey, to help the Afghan people and government.

Meanwhile, the Turkish Government has opted for a pragmatic approach to developments in Afghanistan. Underlining the new reality that has emerged in Afghanistan, Ankara said it would move forward accordingly while keeping communication with all relevant parties open.

Turkey has held regular talks with the Taliban in Kabul, with a diplomatic presence still in place, regarding the operational plans for Kabul airport in the country's capital.

Earlier, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan welcomed the moderate remarks made by Taliban officials, announcing Turkey is ready to cooperate with all parties to ensure peace and stability.

Responding to the interim government's announcement, President Erdogan said Turkey would follow developments in Afghanistan.

"As you know by now, it's hard to call it permanent, but the interim cabinet has been announced. We don't know how long this interim Cabinet will last. Our job now is to follow this process carefully," he said last week.