Turkey's Role in Afghanistan as the War "Ends"

[Hakan]

Turkish Ambassador named next NATO Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan​

• 17 Nov. 2014

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has appointed Ambassador Ismail Aramaz as the next NATO Senior Civilian Representative (SCR) in Afghanistan. He is expected to take up his new post early next year.

​

Ambassador Aramaz is currently the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Afghanistan. He has extensive diplomatic experience, including on Afghanistan and NATO. He served as Turkey’s Deputy Permanent Representative to NATO from 2003 to 2007 and as Political Advisor to the Commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) from 2002 to 2003. He has also held key posts at the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs dealing with NATO issues.

Ambassador Aramaz will replace Ambassador Maurits Jochems, who has served as the NATO Senior Civilian Representative since August 2012. Ambassador Jochems has played a vital role in supporting NATO’s efforts in Afghanistan. He has worked effectively with the Afghan authorities, senior officials representing other international organizations, and the military and civilian leaders from NATO and partner countries. On behalf of the Alliance, the Secretary General has thanked Ambassador Jochems for his capable and dedicated service.

As ISAF ends in December 2014 and NATO launches the Resolute Support Mission to train, advise, and assist the Afghan security forces, the Alliance and our partners will remain committed to supporting Afghanistan and further developing our long-term relationship. Ambassador Aramaz will play an integral role in those efforts.

NATO - News: Turkish Ambassador named next NATO Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan, 17-Nov.-2014

Turkey to take over command at Afghan airport​

The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), which has actively taken part in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan since 2002, is set to undertake the command of Hamid Karzai International Airport starting in January 2015.

The duty will be carried out by the TSK as part of a NATO mission. The TSK will be handed over the command on Dec. 31 with an official ceremony in the Afghan capital, Kabul.

Turkey previously controlled the Kabul airport a number of times.

The Turkish army is currently aiding the Afghan government in restructuring security forces in the country.

Turkey to take over command at Afghan airport

 

[Neptune]

Here we go...

We have a lot of interests in Afghanistan.

 

[-------]

Pakistan should in on the action aswell..

 

[Path-Finder]

Well Afghanistan is a tough crowd to control, I hope Turkey succeeds where everyone has failed. So is it control of just the airport and nothing else?

 

[Neptune]

Well Afghanistan is a tough crowd to control, I hope Turkey succeeds where everyone has failed. So is it control of just the airport and nothing else?

Kabul Airport Command

Regional Command Capital

NATO Senior Civilian Representative (SCR)

Are Turkish-led

 

[Kompromat]

Turkey needs to join hands with Pakistan. You manage the Farsi side, we'll manage the Pashtun side. Together we can make sure that no civil war takes place again.

 

[Hakan]

Top diplomat strengthens Turkey's role in Afghanistan​

Turkey's foreign ministry released a statement emphasising that Aramaz was appointed upon Turkey's proposal, and that this appointment reflects Turkey's leading role in NATO's activities.

"In this regard, Turkey will assume the Framework Nation role for Kabul in the Resolute Support Mission, to train, advise, and assist Afghanistan National Security Forces (ANSF). Turkey will also undertake responsibility for the Kabul International Airport," the statement said.

Aramaz will become the second Turkish SCR in Afghanistan after former Foreign Minister Hikmet Cetin, who served in Afghanistan between 2003 and 2006.

In an interview with SES Türkiye, Cetin said the appointment of Aramaz, a highly experienced diplomat in his field, is a timely decision both for NATO's new mission and the stability of the region.

"A new page is turning in Afghanistan with the inauguration of the new mission when the foreign soldiers will be withdrawn to hand over control to the new Afghan government led by President Ashraf Ghani. Mr. Aramaz, along with the international community's assistance, will contribute a lot for the success of the implementation process of this new period," Cetin said.

According to Cetin, the appointment of a Turkish diplomat to this key post also means that NATO wants to show soft power in the new period, both in military and civilian terms, by using the deep-seated cordial ties between Turkey and Afghanistan.

"Although the issue of opium poppy cultivation does not fall into the area of NATO, the international community should also consider this problem in the new period and try to find out economic solutions to give them livelihood means rather than burning out the fields in order to prevent the cultivators from falling into the hands of Taliban fighters and international drug cartels," Cetin also noted.

NATO currently has about 50,000 troops in Afghanistan with the largest contribution coming from the United States. Nursin Guney, head of the political science and international relations department at Yildiz Technical University, said the appointment of a Turkish diplomat for the second time is proof of Turkey's outstanding achievements in Afghanistan.

"Turkey, during the ISAF era in Afghanistan, took over the lead of ISAF twice and completed the mission with great success. Besides, during the difficult times of NATO's presence in Afghanistan the Alliance with Hikmet Cetin has managed to construct the bridge between the Afghan people and the Alliance," Guney told SES Türkiye.

According to Guney, the advantage of knowing the Afghan people and their culture enable Turkish diplomats to access Afghan society much easier, and give them the advantage over their Euro-Atlantic colleagues in NATO.

"The presence of Turkish diplomats and their experiences in Afghanistan within NATO is helping with the anti-NATO perception that is widespread among the public," she added.

Guney also underlined that during this new transitional period when the responsibility of security of the whole country is transitioning to Afghan security forces, the most important challenge for NATO will be attaining the Afghan people's trust.

Salih Dogan, a research fellow at the Turkey Institute, a London-based think tank, said the new decade between 2015 and 2024 would be mainly focused on security and the economy, which should also determine the SCR's agenda.

"In terms of economy, Aramaz will most likely work on issues like organising foreign assistance, monitoring the international community's pledges for providing humanitarian help and co-ordinating the channelling of investments in the country in a bid to create positive change in the daily lives of Afghan people without giving rise to any corruption," Dogan told SES Türkiye.

Dogan added that the new period -- with the withdrawal of foreign troops and further authority of local forces over the territory -- should be strictly co-ordinated and monitored in order to overcome in advance the risk that Taliban fighters might re-emerge.

"At that point, NATO should have a determined role going beyond the military training, consultancy and auxiliary force, and there should be preliminary works to design a better and swifter communication network in order to be prepared for any contingencies regarding regional security and stability," he added.

See link for full article:
Top diplomat strengthens Turkey's role in Afghanistan | SES Türkiye

Big article/Report on Turkey's role in Afghanistan:

http://sam.gov.tr/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/SAM_paper_ing_06_int.pdf

 

[Echo_419]

Turkey needs to join hands with Pakistan. You manage the Farsi side, we'll manage the Pashtun side. Together we can make sure that no civil war takes place again.

Shouldn't Iran be given the control of Farsi side,also India,China & Russia should also be brought in to enhance the region's stability

 

[Path-Finder]

Turkey needs to join hands with Pakistan. You manage the Farsi side, we'll manage the Pashtun side. Together we can make sure that no civil war takes place again.

yes that is what i was thinking because we must do everything possible to make sure stability comes there and India doesn't.

 

[Hasbara Buster]

Turkey's role is that of enabling the American empire's geostrategic objectives.

 

[waz]

All the best to our brothers. We have good ties to Ghani and the present goevrment. This is a prime opportunity to work together to bring peace to the region. The Turks have done a fine job in Afghanistan and were seen as friends and brothers.

 

[T-123456]

Shouldn't Iran be given the control of Farsi side,also India,China & Russia should also be brought in to enhance the region's stability

Dont you think there would be a conflict of interest when one of the neighbours takes over?

 

[Echo_419]

Dont you think there would be a conflict of interest when one of the neighbours takes over?

That's where Turkey & other regional Powers would come in
So the Control Freaks[Iran & Pakistan] would stay in their place

 

[Kompromat]

Iran has sectarian taint, Turkey and Pakistan don't.

 

[IRAN 1802]

Iran has sectarian taint, Turkey and Pakistan don't.

Sectarian where ?