KABUL - President Hamid Karzai and his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul would soon sign a long-term strategic partnership agreement, a move that would further boost the existing robust relations between the two nations, the Presidential Palace in Kabul said on Sunday.

Karzai and Gul agreed at a meeting in Chicago, where they have arrived to attend the NATO summit, on inking the agreement, said a statement from the president's office.
"I am hopeful of an open relation between Turkey and Afghanistan, as we enter a new era by reaching a strategic deal," Karzai was quoted as saying.

Afghanistan had already signed similar long-term pacts with developed economies such as India, Italy, England, France, Germany and the United States.
Both presidents discussed mutual relations, the ongoing peace process and future cooperation between Afghanistan and Turkey, the statement added.

Gul said Turkey was ready to support Afghanistan in areas of reconstruction, education, training of security forces and reconciliation. Turkey is currently playing a crucial role in training Afghan National Police (ANP). Nearly 500 officers will be sent for training to the country.

About 1,700 Turkish soldiers are based in the country -- most of them deployed to central Maidan Wardak and northern Jawzjan provinces. (Pajhwok)