Cetin to start his post in Afghanistan tomorrow

ANKARA (AA) – Hikmet Cetin, who was assigned as the NATO’s Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan, left for Afghan capital Kabul on Sunday.

Responding questions of journalists at the military airport in Ankara’s Etimesgut district, Cetin said, "I am certain that this mission is quite difficult and complicated. I am determined to do my utmost."

"I believe that special relations between Turkey and Afghanistan will facilitate my mission. During my term in office as the NATO’s senior civilian representative, I will assist Afghan people to complete their new political structure and to form a broad-based democratic government. Afghanistan has suffered much for long years. In the last twenty-three years, Afghanistan fought against the former Soviet Union and experienced a long-standing civil war. Now, Afghanistan needs tranquility, peace and stability. The NATO has undertaken a significant mission to assist Afghanistan. This mission of the NATO has military, political and civilian aspects. The new constitution has been prepared and approved. I hope that presidential elections will be held soon," he said.

Cetin told reporters, "I am going to Afghanistan as a civilian. My mission aims to assist Afghan people. I will expend efforts to become the voice of Afghanistan in the world and bring Afghanistan’s problems onto agenda of the world. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the General Staff and the Turkish government will support me during my term in office in Afghanistan. I believe that I will achieve success with their support. My success will be the achievement of Turkey."