Turkish diplomat calls for more cooperation between Ankara and Kabul

The head of the Turkish embassy in Kabul says Afghanistan and Turkey have a lot of cultural and historical commonalities and wants relations between the two countries to expand further.

Speaking on Tuesday at an event at Kabul University to commemorate the 103rd anniversary of the adoption of the Turkish national anthem and its poet Mohammad Akif Arsavi,
Cenk Ünal said there have been scores of historical and cultural exchanges between Afghanistan and Turkey and that relations are being strengthened.

“Turkey and Afghanistan share extensive historical, cultural and civil relations,” said Ünal, adding that “the national anthem of a country is not only a song but also a symbol of tears and blood of a nation. It is a matter of pride that a number of Afghans sing the national anthem of Turkey.”

Azerbaijan’s ambassador to Afghanistan Ilham Mohammadov also attended the event.

At the event, Osama Aziz, the president of Kabul University, said after the Islamic Emirate regained power in Afghanistan, Turkey was the only country to increase cooperation with the university.

Aziz then called on Azerbaijan to also strengthen its political relations and scientific cooperation with Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, Mohammadov said his country is committed to friendly relations with Afghanistan and to continuing cooperation in various sectors.

He said: “The embassy of Azerbaijan in Afghanistan was opened on February 8. This is the first time that I participate in such programs and you know that Afghanistan and Azerbaijan have historical relations and cultural commonality and we want to expand the relations between the two countries.”

The event was organized by the Turkish Embassy amid ongoing calls by the IEA for countries and businessmen to invest in Afghanistan.