International Security Assistance Force

PRAGUE - Former Czech President Milos Zeman has reiterated the bombing of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) as well as the withdrawal from Afghanistan and the surrender of power to the Taliban were NATO's two fundamental mistakes.

Afghan evacuees arrive at Pristina airport in Kosovo in August. Photo: EPA-EFE/VALDRIN XHEMAJ

A total of 100,000 euros will be allocated after Montenegro pledged financial support during a UN meeting on September 13.

Turkey's presidential spokesman told a German news website on Oct. 1 that Ankara was a strong NATO member and unconditionally loyal to the alliance.

Ibrahim Kalın told Der Spiegel magazine that Turkey contributed to many NATO missions and problems between member countries should not weaken the alliance.

Ahead of a one-on-one meeting on Sept. 21 on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, the U.S. and Turkey's top diplomats said they would continue to work on Afghanistan.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken beat back criticism of the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan on Sept. 13 at a contentious congressional hearing where at least two Republicans called on him to resign.

In a pre-recorded message to mark the 20th anniversary of 11 September terror attacks, US President Joe Biden remembered the events as a moment defined not only by heroism but "unity and resilience." "We learned that unity is the one thing that must never break," Biden said in a six-minute video filmed at the White House, news wires reported.

Despite the tension and intensity at the Kabul International Airport following the Taliban's takeover, the smooth and speedy evacuation of the Turkish troops and other officials has proved the strength of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), the defense minister has said.

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For 20 years, counterterrorism has been the overarching priority of US national security policy.

And at its heart was Afghanistan. Intervention was meant to be an example of solidarity and determination of allies, confident in the righteousness of their cause.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas will pay a working visit to Turkey on Aug. 29, according to the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

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"During the meetings, bilateral relations and Turkey-EU relations, as well as regional issues, particularly the developments in Afghanistan will be discussed," said a ministry statement.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the latest developments in Afghanistan in a phone call, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Aug. 28.

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Çavuşoğlu also had a separate phone call with Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.