Turkey Pleased With Appointment Of Cetin As Nato Political Representative In Afghanistan

ANKARA - Turkey is pleased with appointment of Hikmet Cetin, one of former parliament speakers and foreign ministers, as political representative of NATO in Afghanistan.
A statement of the Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that Cetin had been appointed as political representative of NATO in Afghanistan earlier in the day and said, ''our government nominated Cetin at the beginning of the process in NATO and supported his nomination.''
The statement noted that Turkey, which had rooted friendly relations with Afghanistan, had favored national unity, integrity and independence of Afghanistan throughout history.
Turkey had wished that friend and brother Afghan nation should live in peace, stability and tranquility and had continued its efficient cooperation with Afghanistan, the statement said.
The statement said that Turkey had wished Afghanistan to be away from every kind of extreme movements and terrorism, live in peace and stability, have a broad-based government, and take its place in international community as a country respecting to human rights and fundamental principles of democracy.
Turkey had supported Bonn process within that framework, the statement recalled.
The statement drew attention that Turkey had made important contributions to restoration of stability and security in Afghanistan and recalled that it undertook leadership of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) for eight months.
''Turkey has welcomed NATO's undertaking an important role in Afghanistan by undertaking the responsibility of ISAF and supports it as an important step to contribute to restoration of security and stability in the country,'' the statement said.
The statement emphasized that Hikmet Cetin had undertaken very important duties so far and succeeded in all of them, adding, ''Cetin is a personality who is well-recognized and respected in international platform.''
Cetin would make significant contributions to efforts to settle peace, security, stability and tranquility in Afghanistan as the civilian representative of NATO Secretary General to Afghanistan, the statement pointed out.
NATO Secretary General George Robertson issued a statement earlier in the day and recalled that Cetin served as Turkey's Foreign Minister between 1991 and 1994 and Parliament Speaker between 1997 and 1999 and as ministers in several governments.
(BRC) 19.11.2003