A plan for Turkey to operate and guard the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul after the withdrawal of NATO troops will be discussed in a meeting between Turkish and US defense ministers, Reuters reported, quoting the Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar. 

The Turkish defense minister said he there is no final decision on the matter yet, Reuters reported. 

Amid security concerns in the country, Ankara recently offered to operate and guard the Kabul airport after the withdrawal of US and NATO forces, something that the Afghan government says is still under discussion. 

The goal has been to protect the diplomatic missions in Kabul if the situation deteriorates after the pullout of the US and coalition forces. 

Quoted by Reuters, the Turkish defense minister said talks on the details of the mission are still underway, and the airport must be operational so the Afghan government is not isolated from the world following the pullout. 

“From making certain decisions at the United Nations, NATO, to reaching an agreement with the Afghan government, as well as political, financial, and logistical support, we are in contact with various countries. Meanwhile, our talks with the Americans also continue,” Akar said as quoted by Reuters “No final decision has been made yet, but our talks continue.” 

On June 16, the National Security Council said the Afghan government is in talks over the security of the Kabul airport and that Afghanistan will make decisions about the issue in light of its national interests.