Speech by Consul General Güneş Yeşildağ at the Reception for Commemorating the 90th Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic of Turkey

(29th October 2013, Tuesday, Baran Imperator Hotel, Mazar-e Sharif)

(TRANSLATION)

Distinguished Guests,

I would like to welcome you all to our reception commemorating the 90th Anniversary of the foundation of the Republic of Turkey.

The Republic of Turkey was established 90 years ago as a modern state based on its people’s will, following the decisive struggle for independence led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

Since then, Turkey made strides in the political, military, economic and social fields and went through a great transformation in terms of democracy, human rights, rule of law and integration into the international economy. Today, Turkey has become a regional and global contributor to security, stability and prosperity.

Distinguished Guests,

The strong friendly and fraternal relations between the Turkish and Afghan peoples stem from the deep-rooted and shared history and culture. The solidarity between Turkish and Afghan peoples is the solidarity of brothers and sisters.

Turkey continues to be in solidarity with Afghanistan. In this context, our Consulate General in Mazar-e Sharif and Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Jawzjan, which operates within the framework of ISAF, conduct reconstruction, education, health, sustainable development and humanitarian aid projects together with the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency in northern Afghanistan. Taking this opportunity, I would like to welcome the Turkish Ministry of Health delegation comprised of specialist and operator doctors. The delegation is among us here within the scope of the 5th Turkish-Afghan Health Week.

There have been two recent auspicious developments for our bilateral relations. The first one is that the incoming inauguration of Istanbul-Mazar-e Sharif passenger flights of Turkish Airlines on 20th of November. These flights will facilitate strengthening of not only our bilateral relations but also the northern Afghanistan’s relations with the rest of the world.

The other is that the start of Turkish Petroleum Cooperation’s operation, in addition to its ongoing operation in Jawzjan province, for oil and gas extraction in the blocks of Mazar-e Sharif and Sandıklı, together with its Afghan and international partners. This large scale project will reinforce Afghanistan’s ability to continue its journey to a brighter future with its own means.

Distinguished Guests,

Afghanistan is going through a phase towards establishing a permanent environment of peace, security and prosperity. In this phase where many challenges are present, it is important that Afghanistan maintains its determination and international community continues its assistance in order to not to waste the efforts exerted and lose gains on the ground.

There are no set dates in Turkey’s policy for Afghanistan. Turkey will continue to be in solidarity with Afghanistan both on bilateral basis and as a part of international effort, as long as our Afghan brothers and sisters wish us to do.

Thank you very much.