Afghan and Turkish officials at a ceremony in Kabul marked 100 year anniversary of Afghanistan-Turkey relations, and Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar said he hopes Turkey will continue its support for Afghan peace efforts so that a regional consensus is formed around the process. 

Atmar said that Turkey has had a key role in counterterrorism and peace efforts in Afghanistan post-2001. 

“Turkey can play a key role in bringing political consensus over Afghanistan,” Atmar said. 

In response to a question about his possible removal from the ministry, Atmar said the government is acting based on a political agreement. 

“We are serving in the government based on an important political agreement and for the government’s agenda which is establishing peace in the country,” he said. “If there is any doubt in this case, we will be informed first.” 

Meanwhile, the Turkish ambassador in Kabul, Oğuzhan Ertuğrul, said he hopes the ongoing violence ends in Afghanistan and that his country will continue its cooperation with Afghanistan after a peace deal. 

“Developments in Afghanistan are closely related to security and stability in our region. We’re closely following the situation in friendly and brotherly Afghanistan. We wish success for the peace process that aims to end the conflict which has been ongoing for more than 40 years in this country,” the Turkish envoy said. 

Today marks the centennial anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkey and Afghanistan. Ankara Government was officially recognized today by Afghanistan through the Treaty of Alliance signed on March 1, 1921. 

Turkey hosts over 200,000 Afghan refugees and thousands of Afghan students.