Turkish FM warns against civil war in Afghanistan

Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu warned against a possible civil war in Afghanistan and expressed Turkey's will to contribute to peace and stability in the country.

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Elaborating on the Taliban's future government, the minister emphasized that the international community should take a wait-and-see approach before recognizing its rule.

"We hope that conflicts in the country do not cause a civil war," Çavuşoğlu told broadcaster NTV on Sept. 7.
The minister pointed at the fact that there is economic distress and hunger in the country and the U.N.'s food stock is about to run out, while Turkey's Red Crescent also provides aid to the region.

Besides, there is also the problem of terrorism in the region, the minister noted.

Çavuşoğlu stated that Ankara has "invested" a lot in Afghanistan, including issues of education, women, children and Turkey's full pullout would be wrong.

"After all, it would be a wrong decision for us to completely leave a country like Afghanistan. It wouldn't be right if we left as many countries withdrew their embassies. We don't say 'let's manage everything,' we say 'let's not break our ties'."

Asked if Turkey will recognize the government formed by the Taliban, the minister said there was "no need to rush" in recognizing the Taliban's rule in Afghanistan and underlined the new government should be inclusive of different communities in Afghanistan. Turkey will conduct a policy of "gradual engagement" in recognizing the new government of the Taliban, he stated.

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"We should not be hasty in this matter. The world should not be in a hurry either. Balance is needed here. This is how we act as Turkey. The government needs to be inclusive. If there is only the Taliban in...