KABUL – *Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim has said that Turkeystrongly supports the Afghan government’s efforts for peace in the country,and called on the Taliban to take advantage of the opportunity and engagein comprehensive dialogue with the Afghan government. *

Speaking at a joint press conference on Sunday with CEO Abdullah Abdullah,Yildirim said Turkey has suggested a trilateral meeting of officials fromAfghanistan, Pakistan and Turkey to discuss the peace process inAfghanistan, TOLO News has reported.

“We support the peace offer made by the Afghan government to the Taliban,the Taliban should not lose this opportunity and they must enter into peacetalks. Turkey strongly supports the peace process in Afghanistan. Turkeyhas also got experience in this respect, we will not allow insurgents todisrupt peace. We also support the trip of Pakistani prime minister toKabul and we are working to convene the trilateral meeting,” said Yildirim.

Meanwhile, Abdullah said that he has held talks with Yildirim on a range ofissues such as security, culture and economic cooperation and on the fightagainst terrorism.

“Turkey has been a close friend and partner of Afghanistan and has played asignificant role in economic development, security and other sectors,” saidAbdullah.

On Afghan-Turkey defense cooperation, the Turkish prime minister said: ” Wewill continue our cooperation in military and defense field”.

“We have good capacities for strengthening relations and cooperation in thefield of trade, and we have a common vision in fighting terrorism,” addedAbdullah.

“We have a common view with Turkey about fighting terrorism and the Turkishgovernment supports Afghanistan’s strides for peace,” said Abdullah.

Abdullah also confirmed that talks were held about First Vice PresidentGeneral Abdul Rashid Dostum who has been living in Turkey for almost a year.