Turkish FM says a secure Afghanistan is of great importance for region

BONN (A.A) – December 5, 2011 – Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Monday that a secure Afghanistan would be of great importance for the region's security. Davutoglu participated in the International Afghanistan Conference in Bonn, Germany. Davutoglu said he believed that cooperation among Afghanistan, its neighbors and the international community would yield positive outcomes for the future. "Regional cooperation constitutes an indispensable pillar of the comprehensive efforts of the International Community aimed at addressing the challenges facing Afghanistan and beyond. Forming the very heart of Asia, Afghanistan is a country whose present and future is inseparably bound with those of its neighbourhood," he said. "Upon the request of Afghanistan, and believing that it was time to further the shared vision and principles of cooperation enshrined in the 'Istanbul Statement on Friendship and Cooperation in the Heart of Asia' adopted in January 2010 to a new level, Turkey hosted the Istanbul Conference for Afghanistan last month which convened the immediate and near neighbours of Afghanistan and its major supporters from around the world," he said. Davutoglu said, "at the Istanbul Conference, regional countries gave a very strong message of commitment to a secure, stable and prosperous Afghanistan in a secure, stable and prosperous region. The region not only gave a strong message of commitment but also made it clear that it will own, lead and develop the efforts for enhanced cooperation by adopting the 'Istanbul Process on Regional Security and Cooperation for a Secure and Stable Afghanistan'. I am pleased that the International Community also strongly supported the regionally owned and led Istanbul Process." "Turkey's commitment to Afghanistan is for the long-term. The solidarity between the Turkish and Afghan peoples has a very long history. Today, Turkey conducts the most comprehensive assistance program of its history, in Afghanistan. We are committed to stand by our Afghan brothers and sisters as long as they want us to do so," he said. "Since 2001, Afghanistan has attained undeniable progress in numerous fields affecting the lives of its citizens. However, the immense challenges which are still ahead of us demand that all Afghans and their friends in the International Community continue to strengthen their solidarity into the future," he said.