President Erdoğan: Neglecting Afghanistan would lead to irreparable damages

 

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made a speech at the 8th Ministerial Conference of Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process at Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul.

Stressing that the majority of the problems afflicting South Asia originate from outside of the borders, President Erdoğan said: “The people in this region end up having to grapple with the ramifications of developments in which they most of the time have no involvement. Regional cooperation and solidarity is imperative in order for the South Asia and its immediate environment to overcome the problems they are faced with. In this regard, the Istanbul Process serves as a highly beneficial platform in bringing regional and local solutions to these shared challenges.”

“NEGLECTING AFGHANISTAN WOULD LEAD TO IRREPARABLE DAMAGES”

Drawing attention to the sensitive period Afghanistan is going through, President Erdoğan stated: “As the international community, we need to increase the aid we have been providing to Afghanistan for the past 18 years. As we stress at every opportunity, it is easy to destroy but difficult to build. The achievements obtained after persistent and strenuous efforts may give place to profound disappointments if due diligence and care is not shown, and this is all the more true for such fragile countries as Afghanistan. It would lead to irreparable damages to neglect Afghanistan by focusing on the achievements obtained in recent years. Therefore, it is of crucial importance that we, the countries that all seek peace, security and serenity in Afghanistan, intensify our efforts.”

President Erdoğan continued: “Afghan security forces’ determination in the fight against DAESH and their achievements particularly in recent weeks are pleasing. The DAESH virus should definitely be prevented from infecting Afghanistan. This terrorist organization has caused the greatest harm to the Islamic world and Muslims with the atrocious murders it has committed in Syria and Iraq. Our region has been turned into a bloodbath by the hands of this organization. Alongside the Afghan authorities, all the regional actors have important responsibilities in the fight against DAESH.”