Erdoğan spoke by phone with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany

Stating that Turkey closely followed the developments in Afghanistan, Erdoğan said that in the event that appropriate conditions were created, Turkey could maintain the responsibility of security and operation at Kabul airport, which would contribute to the eliminating of the concerns of all the parties, the international community and the Afghan people in particular. 

Noting that the new government to be formed in Afghanistan should embrace and represent all the Afghan people, Erdoğan drew attention to the importance of the beginning of the talks between the Taliban and the Republic leaders in Kabul on peace and security.

Stressing that it was a must to avert a humanitarian tragedy in the face of the migration wave from Afghanistan and provide immediate aid to these people in Afghanistan and its neighboring countries, Erdoğan said that also in order to decrease the pressure, it should be ensured that the relevant institutions of the United Nations, especially the UN Refugee Agency, played a more active role by increasing their financial contributions.

Stressing that if the necessary precautions were not taken in Afghanistan and Iran, a new migration wave would be inevitable, Erdoğan underscored that Turkey, which was currently hosting 5 million refugees, could not bear an additional burden of migration from Afghanistan.

Stating that Turkey held talks with Iran as well in that regard and increased the measures on the Iranian border, Erdoğan said that important duties fell to Europe in order for the Afghan irregular migration to be solved as soon as possible before it turned into a crisis.

Erdoğan further noted that the EU maintaining its hesitant approach towards Turkey’s rightful expectation for the update of the March 18 agreement with all its elements adversely affected the potential for cooperation in the field of migration.

Pointing out that the recent developments in Afghanistan as well as the burden caused by the millions of Syrian refugees further increased the public sensitivity, Erdoğan said that it would be unrealistic to expect more from Turkey unless the March 18 agreement was implemented with all its elements. (ILKHA)