REMARKS

by

H.E. AMBASSADOR OĞUZHAN ERTUĞRUL

On the Occasion of the

Turkish-Afghan Friendship Day

(28 February 2019, Turkish Embassy, Kabul)

Minister Zaki, Deputy Minister Andisha,

Dear Ambassador of Kazakhistan,

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to thank you all for joining us today to celebrate the “Turkish-Afghan Friendship Day”.

Ninety-eight years ago, the “Treaty of Alliance” between our two countries was signed on March 1^st, 1921 in Moscow. Some of you may wonder why in Moscow, so please allow me to shed some light on why.

In July 1920, the Turkish Parliament dispatched a delegation to Moscow in order to establish diplomatic relations. The process leading up to the signature of a Treaty of Friendship between Turkey and the Soviet Union lastedfor months[1]. In the meantime, an Afghan delegation was also in Moscow for the same purpose, to negotiate a Treaty of Friendship with the U.S.S.R.[2]

During the course of its negotiations with the Soviets, the Afghan delegation showed genuine interest to sign a similar treaty with Turkey as well. Thereof, the head of the Turkish delegation sent a message to Ataturk with an affirmative note, and asked for permission to begin negotiations immediately. Thereafter, the draft text proposed by the Turkish delegation was accepted as it is by the Afghan side, and, on the 1^st of March 1921, the Treaty of Alliance between Turkey and Afghanistan was signed by the Turkish Minister of Economy, Mr. Yusuf Kemal, and the Afghan Ambassador to the U.S.S.R., Mr. Mohammad Veli Khan.

Yes, the Treaty itself was a result of an encounter between Turkish and Afghan delegations who were visiting Moscow at the same time, but, make no mistake. It was not a mere coincidence. In the absence of mutual political will and determination, such a treaty could not have been concluded regardless of the venue.

The Treaty of Alliance with Afghanistan was one of the first and most important international agreements concluded by the Turkish nation that had to fight a long war of liberation. Through this Treaty, Turkish and Afghan nations inked their unfaltering bond of friendship, and committed themselves to support the integrity, independence and sovereignty of each other.

As I am underlining time and again, this relationship is a legacy that we have inherited from our ancestors. Therefore, the responsibility that falls upon us is to take it further in every field possible. To this end, we have to pass on to the young generations why Turkish-Afghan friendship is so special, so privileged. In this regard, commemoration of the anniversaries of the Treaty of Alliance provides a very good occasion and a useful opportunity to remind our nations and our children, the value and importance of the Turkish-Afghan friendship and brotherhood.

It is with this understanding that our Foreign Ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 24^th of December 2010 in Istanbul, which officially designated March 1^st as the “Turkish-Afghan Friendship Day”.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Turkey and Afghanistan enjoy brotherly relations dating back centuries ago. A number of personalities of common heritage have also contributed to the establishment of these strong bonds, such as Mevlana Celaleddin-i Balkhi Rumi, Ali-Shir Nava’i, Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni, who all left behind the solid basis on which our fraternal, peaceful and deep-rooted relations have been built.

In times of need, both nations have extended every kind of assistance to each other without hesitation, demonstrating the strong historical, cultural and spiritual bonds. Turkish people will always remember the sacrifices of the Afghan youngsters and women who supported the Turkish War of Independence.

Ninety-eight years after the signature of the Treaty of Alliance, the progressive vision as well as the good sentiments shared by our founders Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and Ghazi Amanullah Khan, still continue to guide us as the friendship and brotherhood between our two nations grows.

While further solidifying this friendship and deepening our cooperation, Turkey will remain Afghanistan’s closest neighbor without common borders.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We commend the efforts of our Afghan brothers and sisters to address the challenges they have been facing for the last four decades. Afghanistan deserves a bright future with its people’s resilience and staunch commitment for peace, democracy and self-reliance. Turkish nation will remain in solidarity, shoulder to shoulder with the Afghan nation to bring this long overdue future into life. We will continue to stand by you and to support you as long as our help is needed.

Thank you for your kind attention.