ISTANBUL - President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan on Monday thanked to Turkey for the support it expended to his country.
President Sezer, after delivering a speech in Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) 7th Heads of State Summit, invited head of states participating in the meeting in alphabetical order to deliver speeches.
Karzai, who delivered the first speech, thanked to Turkey and President Sezer for the support expended to Afghanistan.
Karzai thanked to President Sezer particularly for inclusion of Turkish Armed Forces to international security assistance force.
Stressing that the summit was an important cornerstone to serve to the targets of ECO and that it would contribute to the improvement of cooperation among ECO member countries, Karzai said re-building of Afghanistan was important for the peace and stability in the region.
Karzai said ECO would have important contributions in this respect, adding that Afghan people were pleased over the efforts to strengthen peace and bringing of stability.
''Security of the region is very important for supremacy of law and democracy,'' Karzai said, adding that Afghan National Assembly Loya Jirga took important steps for peace and welfare.
Stressing the importance of economic growth as well as political stability, Karzai said they worked to improve private sector and re-build financial and legal framework.
Karzai said they invited international investors to the region in this respect, and noted that they continued their efforts toward free market economy.
Pointing out that Afghanistan will participate in projects within the scope of ECO which will be for the mutual benefits of the member countries, Karzai said, ''formation of peace and stability depends on regional cooperation and re-building of Afghanistan.''
Karzai said Afghan people needed security the most at the time being, stressing that world countries increased their fight against terrorism. He said this should continue.
Recalling that Afghanistan was a Moslem country, Karzai said Islam was a tolerance religion, noting that neighbouring countries should not intervene in internal affairs of Afghanistan.
Karzai also called on ECO member countries to cooperate against prevention of drug trafficking.