Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Friday that if Turkey permitted the opening of a Taliban office in Turkey, they would want to make progress in such a direction established by Turkey.
Karzai’s comments came after arguments by some circles that Taliban’s opening offices in neutral countries would be a beneficial step for the negotiations.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari following a trilateral summit in Istanbul’s Ciragan Palace, Karzai said that he was honored to be in Turkey.
Former trilateral summits led to successful results. We have come to understand each other better and established deeper brotherly relations thanks to trilateral summits, Karzai said.
Meeting in summits is crucial for our future and economic welfare, Karzai said.
Pakistani President Zardari, in his part, said that the people of Turkey helped Pakistan after the recent deadly floods.
I thank the people of Turkey for their kind assistance, Zardari said.
We love you Turkish people and have deep respect, Zardari said.
Tomorrow will be the century of Asia. As the three presidents of the region, we will do whatever is necessary. We will continue to work so that the future of new generations is placed under security, Zardari said.
Touching on the Taliban, President Zardari said that the intelligence service of Pakistan did not make any deals with Taliban.
As the spouse of late Bhutto, who was killed in a terrorist attack, it is impossible for me to support (the Taliban) movement, Zardari also said.