Turkey Hosts Leaders in Istanbul Summit
On Friday, December 5, 2008, the leaders of both Afghanistan and Pakistan arrived to Istanbul for Turkish-sponsored talks, in hopes that the meeting will strengthen trust and cooperation between the two neighbors. The meeting will be attended by Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan and Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan, and Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan. The meeting is the second round of talks between the countries in a move to bring the two neighbors closer and boost joint efforts for regional security. The main topics of the meeting will be bilateral relations and coordinating trilateral economic cooperation. Relations between the two countries have been minimal, as Afghan leaders have accused Pakistan of not taking action against Taliban militants. However, Karzai has recently forged better relations with new Pakistani President Zardari and hopes to come to agreement regarding the infiltration of fighters.
US President Bush has also called to personally thank Turkish President Gul for his efforts in smoothing relations between the two countries, as well as for his efforts at stabilizing and securing Iraq. President Gul is also scheduled to host a further round of talks aimed at easing tensions between Kabul and Islamabad.
The chairing of these meetings between the countries could also help bolster Turkey’s EU candidacy, as the move proves that the regional power could serve to further healthy relations between countries east of Europe.
Adam Hazzout
