Turkish & Iranian Presidents Stress On Formation Of Inclusive Government in Afghanistan

In a joint statement, the presidents of Iran and Turkiye emphasised on the establishment of an inclusive, responsible and responsive government representing all the people in Afghanistan.

Ebrahim Raisi and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, presidents of Iran and Turkiye, called for providing security to the people of Afghanistan "without any ethnic and sectarian discrimination".

On Thursday, the website of the president of Iran published the joint statement.

Raisi went to Turkiye on Wednesday and met his Turkish counterpart Erdogan.

In the statement, it has been stated that both countries assessed the practical and constructive interaction with the current officials of Afghanistan as important.

Despite their relations with the Taliban, Turkiye and Iran do not recognise the group’s government.

Both sides also emphasised on the necessity of fighting against all terrorist groups, drug production and trafficking, human trafficking, and illegal trafficking as well as providing the possibility of safe, voluntary and honourable return of all illegal Afghan immigrants to their country.

The Gaza crisis, the joint fight against all forms and manifestations of terrorism, the fight against smuggling of goods, weapons, drugs, and the fight against organised crime along the common borders, economic and commercial cooperation, and strengthening cooperation in the field of road and rail transit were among other issues raised in this meeting.

Erdogan and Raisi also discussed the increase of "Islamophobia", the Astana process to maintain peace in Syria, respect for the territorial integrity of the countries of the Caucasus region, and other global and regional issues.

The Presidents of the two countries held a two-hour meeting on Wednesday and following the meeting, they attended a joint press conference.

During the press conference, Raisi expressed that the Iranian government views any form of insecurity in the region's countries as a threat to the entire region.

Referring to the war between Israel and Hamas, the Iranian president said that international organisations and the United Nations have lost their effectiveness and cannot prevent the disaster in Gaza.

He mentioned that during his discussion with the Turkish president, both sides emphasised on continuing support for Palestine.

Erdogan also conveyed that he had discussions with Raisi, emphasising on the imperative to halt Israel's attacks on Gaza and urging for prompt measures for the establishment of a fair and enduring peace.