ANKARA - Afghanistan and Greater Middle East Initiative would be high on the agenda of NATO summit to be held in Istanbul, Turkey between June 28 and 29, sources said on Tuesday.
Diplomatic sources said that the agenda had not become clear yet but Afghanistan and Greater Middle East Initiative were expected to top the agenda.
The same sources said that participating countries might set and approve NATO`s general strategy towards Afghanistan.
The diplomatic sources agreed that participating countries might focus on ensuring stability around Afghanistan.
The same sources stated that delegates might discuss possible role of the Alliance in the elections expected to be held in Afghanistan in September and possible contribution of countries to expand NATO`s presence in this country.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai and NATO Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan Hikmet Cetin are expected to attend the summit.
Another important issue to be discussed at the summit is Greater Middle East Initiative. Diplomatic sources said that some important meetings like G-8, European Union (EU) summit and U.S.-EU summit would be held since the NATO summit in order to shape up the project, adding that Istanbul Summit would be the last meeting of its kind.
Diplomatic sources stated that what kind of a security role NATO would take in the project had not yet been clear.
The same sources pointed out that what kind of a cooperation the regional countries and NATO could make was expected to be discussed in Istanbul.
Diplomatic sources stated that it had not yet been clear whether Iraq would be discussed at the summit. They said that developments in Iraq could be debated and a statement might be released.
(BRC) 01.06.2004