ANKARA - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul received on Wednesday Hikmet Cetin who was assigned as NATO's Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan.
Cetin told reporters that he would start to work in Kabul on January 25.
Stating that he would hold some meetings in Europe before starting to work in Afghanistan, Cetin said that he would go to Austria on Thursday and then he would also go to Brussels and Germany.
Cetin said that his assignment in Afghanistan was difficult and complicated but at the same time it was a good and positive assignment.
Noting that he would always feel Turkey's responsibility during his assignment in this country, Cetin said that he would do his utmost by feeling support of all institutions.
Cetin said that Afghanistan was of great importance for Turkey and stated that Afghan people had many problems for long years.
''I will work to support Afghan people and make voice of Afghan people be heard in the world,'' he said and noted that he would work to be voice of Afghan people under international organizations; NATO and the United Nations.
Cetin said that he would try to explain that problem in Afghanistan could be solved by economic and social contributions, not by force of weapon.
Foreign Minister Gul said that Cetin was going to Afghanistan for a very important mission and wished success to Cetin.
Stating that Turkey's support was behind Cetin, Gul said that Cetin would feel this support whenever he needed.
Recalling that Turkish-Afghan relations were rooted in history, Gul said that he believed that Afghan people's love of Turkey would help Cetin.
(EÖ-AY) 14.01.2004