News
January 24, 2010
President Karzai Meets Turkish PM

President Hamid Karzai met Sunday evening with Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan where several issues including Turkey’s assistance to Afghanistan, regional cooperation, expansion of Afghan-Turk Schools in Afghanistan and training of Afghan security forces were focused.

Prime Minister Erdogan reaffirmed his country’s continued commitment to Afghanistan and said Turkey was ready to soon open for public use some 68 schools it has built across Afghanistan.

He said Turkey is increasing its training programs for the Afghan national army and police and said Turkey is working on plans to provide short term two to three-month training courses for over 500 soldiers both in Afghanistan and Turkey.

He added that as part of its cultural-assisted programs, Turkey will rehabilitate Rumi House in Balkh province of Afghanistan.

President Karzai thanked Turkey for its military and civilian assistance and hailed the historic ties the two countries have enjoyed and asked for more by Turkey especially in the areas of education and training of Afghan security forces.

President Karzai extended an official invitation for the Prime Minister to visit Afghanistan, which was accepted with thanks by the Premier.