Çavuşoğlu, Blinken discuss latest developments in Afghanistan

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the latest developments in Afghanistan in a phone call, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said early on Aug. 25. 

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Çavuşoğlu and Blinken also discussed the "continuing cooperation" in Afghanistan and efforts "to ensure the safe and orderly evacuation of our citizens, allies and partners," U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement.

Çavuşoğlu said on Aug. 24 that Turkey remains in dialogue with all relevant parties and is coordinating with other allies for the evacuation of thousands of civilians from Afghanistan.

"Our wish is that peace and stability in Afghanistan will be permanently established within the framework of democracy and human rights," he said. 

"If steps are to be taken in this direction, we, as Turkey, will give our best support. I would like to say that we are in contact with all parties, not just with a particular group," he added.

Taliban seized control of Afghanistan after taking Kabul on Aug. 15, with the president and other top officials leaving the country. The fast shift to Taliban rule triggered a rush to flee Afghanistan, with the future in the war-torn country unclear.

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The United States clashed with some of its closest allies over President Joe Biden's insistence on sticking to an Aug. 31 Afghanistan withdrawal date that will shut down a frantic international evacuation effort from Taliban rule.

Biden insisted after virtual talks with leaders of the Group of Seven industrialized democracies on Aug. 24 that the U.S. and its closest allies would "stand shoulder to shoulder" in future action over Afghanistan and the Taliban, despite disappointing them in their...