KABUL - Turkey on Thursday promised it would continue to support Afghanistan beyond 2014, when all foreign forces are scheduled to leave the war-battered country.
Turkish ambassador to Afghanistan Bassat Ozturk held out the promise at a meeting in Kabul, marking the 91st anniversary of a friendship treaty between the two countries.

Deputy Foreign Minister Javed Ludin, National Security Advisor Rangin Dadfar Spanta, Minister of Information Syed Makhdoom Rahin, acting Minister of Public Health Dr. Suraya Dalil and others attended the event.
Dr. Ahmad Mushahed, head of the Independent Commission for Administrative Reform, Salahudin Rabbani, Afghan ambassador to Turkey, diplomats, MPs and representatives of international organizations were also in attendance.

Ludin said: "Precisely, 91 years ago, King Amanullah Khan of Afghanistan and Mustafa Kamal Ataturk of Turkey laid the foundation stone of political links between the two countries by signing the friendship treaty."

Turkey was the second country to recognize Afghanistan, Ludin recalled, saying that the bilateral relations had seen a remarkable improvement over the past decade. He also praised Turkey's efforts to stabilize Afghanistan.
Afghanistan was the first country that recognized Turkey and forged diplomatic relations with it, Ludin said, lauding Ankara for setting up two provincial reconstruction teams in Maidan Wardak and Jawzjan provinces.

Ozturk highlighted religious and cultural commonalities between the two countries and pointed to the strategic place of Afghanistan and the important location of Turkey between Asia and Europe. (Pajhwok)