One of the first resolutions adopted by the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) Government was related to opening a representation in Kabul, and accordingly a Turkish officer with Afghan origin Mr. Abdurrahman Samadan was appointed as the first Turkish representative to Afghanistan. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established through the signing of Türkiye-Afghanistan Alliance Agreement in 1921. Thus, Afghanistan has become the second country recognizing the TGNA. Turkish Embassy in Kabul whose premises were a gift of King of Afghanistan, Amanullah Khan, was the first diplomatic mission inaugurated in Kabul (The deed of the Embassy was issued in the name of the Republic of Türkiye on 25 November 1945.)
Between 1920 and 1960, Türkiye supported Afghanistan’s modernization efforts and played a crucial role in establishment of modern state structures and public institutions in the fields of administration, military, culture, education and health. 212 Turkish teachers, doctors, officers and other experts were sent to Afghanistan between 1932 and 1960. The close friendship relations and cooperation between the two countries continued until the invasion of Afghanistan by the USSR. After the end of the Soviet occupation in 1989, Türkiye continued to follow closely the developments in Afghanistan, and strived to contribute to peace and stability efforts in this country. Today, Türkiye continues to support Afghanistan through humanitarian aid, development and capacity building.
Four elements come to the front in Türkiye’s Afghanistan policy. These are: preserving Afghanistan’s unity and territorial integrity, maintaining its security and stability, strengthening the broad-based political structure that prioritizes public support and political participation, and ensuring peace and prosperity for the people in Afghanistan with no terrorism and extremist movements. In line with these goals, Türkiye makes extensive contributions to Afghanistan, both bilaterally and by supporting the efforts of international organizations. Likewise, the improvement of Afghanistan's relations with its neighbors constitutes one of the primary elements of Türkiye’s policy about Afghanistan.
In line with this priority, Türkiye-Afghanistan-Pakistan Trilateral Summit Process was launched in 2007 and Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process was initiated in 2011. The development program, worth approximately 1.1 billion dollars, in Afghanistan from 2004 to 2021 is among the largest foreign aid programs Türkiye has ever carried out for a country.
In the context of high level visits, President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan paid an official visit to Afghanistan on 18 October 2014 upon the invitation by H.E. Ashraf Ghani, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. While this was the first visit paid at the Presidential level from Türkiye to Afghanistan after 46 years, the Turkish President has become the first foreign head of state to visit the country after the establishment of the new government in Afghanistan. During this official visit, a cooperation treaty was signed between the two countries. Upon invitation by H.E. President Erdoğan, H.E. President Ghani paid an official visit to Türkiye on 23-24 December 2015.
The Taliban’s advance on the ground, which gained momentum with the US and NATO’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, ended up with the establishment of its dominance throughout the country and the capture of Kabul on August 15, 2021. Türkiye, together with the international community, is pursuing a balanced and practical engagement policy with the interim government in Afghanistan. The Taliban administration has not yet been officially recognized by any state.
The Turkish Embassy in Kabul, Consulates General in Mazar-e Sharif and Herat continue facilitating Türkiye’s engagement with Afghanistan.
Türkiye continues its efforts to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, both bilaterally and through the UN and other international organizations, and keeps on providing humanitarian aid. It also contributes to the UN Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan (aiming to support the education and health sectors).
Our institutions such as AFAD, TIKA, Turkish Red Crescent and various NGOs carry out their humanitarian aid activities. The Turkish Red Crescent established the Afghanistan Delegation in 2018 and continues its activities in the country. The total amount of humanitarian and aid activities carried out by the Turkish Red Crescent in Afghanistan between 1995 and 2023 is 18.1 million dollars. 21 “Goodness Trains” carrying a total of more than 9530 tons of humanitarian aid materials prepared with multiple NGOs under the coordination of AFAD were sent to Afghanistan.
Following the 6.2 magnitude earthquake that occurred in the Zendeh Jan district near Herat on October 7, 2023, relief teams and humanitarian assistance were transported to the region by the Turkish Air Forces cargo planes.
The Turkish Maarif Foundation provides the Afghan youth with services with its 48 schools through which approximately 6000 students receive education within the country.