ANKARA
The Turkish Foreign Ministry has welcomed the new president of Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, praising the common will of both Ahmadzai and his rival Abdullah Abdullah towards establishing a national unity government.
The ministry's comments Tuesday came after Afghanistan’s Independent Election Commission declared Ahmadzai as the future Afghan president and his rival Abdullah Abdullah as the chief executive Sunday, ending a months-long dispute over electoral fraud.
The ministry said in a statement: "The presidential elections constitute an achievement on the part of the whole Afghan nation who has demonstrated their will to decide on their future, as well as on the part of all Afghan institutions which adopted a professional attitude throughout the whole process."
The ministry also praised the "common will" of both rivals towards establishing a national unity government indicating their belief in a common ideal, and a determination to move the country further ahead.
"We congratulate the architects of this ideal unity which promises hope for the future of Afghanistan," the statement said.
The ministry also appreciated the efforts by Jan Kubis, the special representative and head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, as well as by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.
"Our expectation in the upcoming process is that a new government which will embrace the whole Afghan nation increase its capacity to cope with all issues and challenges facing Afghanistan.
"It is important that all Afghans embrace the new government so that Afghanistan can leave this critical process stronger than before.
"Turkey will continue to support the Afghan people for peace, stability and welfare in Afghanistan," the statement said.
Afghanistan’s presidential rivals, Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah, signed a power-sharing agreement Sunday after months of political deadlock stemming from a dispute over the results of the presidential poll on April 5 and its runoff on June 14.
Sources in the election commission told The Anadolu Agency that Ghani won 55.27 percent of the vote, while Abdullah won 44.73 percent.
Outgoing President Hamid Karzai will give an official farewell Tuesday before being replaced by the 65 year-old former World Bank economist.
www.aa.com.tr/en
