Turkey and Taliban in talks at Kabul, President Erdogan

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated on Friday that Turkey has held its first talks in Kabul with the Taliban.

He added that Ankara was still assessing the group’s offer to assist in functioning the international airport.

The discussions were apprehended at a facility of the military at the Kabul airport where Turkey’s embassy is momentarily positioned, stated the Turkish leader.

“We have held our first talks with the Taliban, which lasted three and a half hours,” Erdogan told reporters.

“If necessary, we will have the opportunity to hold such talks again,” he said.

NATO member

Turkey is a part of NATO had posted hundreds of troops in Afghanistan as part of the coalition’s operation,

Whereas, Turkey had been in charge of the security of the airport for the past six years.

Erdogan responded to the criticism over Turkey’s assignation with the group that Ankara had “no luxury” to stand indolently by in the unstable region.

“You cannot know what their expectations are or what our expectations are without talking. What’s diplomacy, my friend? This is diplomacy,” Erdogan said.

Previously Turkey had helped to protect and run Kabul’s strategic airport, but on Wednesday the country has started lugging troops out of Afghanistan.

This is an obvious sign of Ankara deserting its previously held position at the Kabul airport.

The Taliban wanted to manage security at the airport while offering Ankara the option of running its logistics, stated Erdogan.

The twin suicide bombs that killed at least 110 people, showed the significance of understanding the details of how the air hub will be protected from external threats, he said.

“They said: ‘We will ensure the security, you operate the airport’. We have not made any decision on this issue yet,” Erdogan said.

“We will make a decision once calm prevails.”

Erdogan’s response came as US forces helping to evacuate Afghans desperate to flee from the country.

The country is braced for more attacks while running to complete withdrawals before the deadline set by President Joe Biden.

Since the Taliban took complete control of Kabul, Ankara has evacuated at least 350 soldiers and more than 1,400 people from Afghanistan.