U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Amb. Richard Holbrooke in Istanbul

August 24-25, 2009

Left to right: Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmet Davutoğlu, U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Amb. Richard Holbrooke and U.S. Ambassador James Jeffrey

U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Amb. Richard Holbrooke attended the Friends of Democratic Pakistan Ministerial in Istanbul August 24-25.  He said, "We've also intensified our focus on Pakistan a great deal, as you can see by our participation in this conference and our strong sponsorship of Pakistan.... It's an area of great importance, especially to Turkey.... I'm a very strong supporter of Turkey's role in NATO and, I hope, eventually, Turkey's membership in the European Union.  In that capacity, the Turks have got to decide what they do next.  But I will say this:  Turkey is a vitally important part of the international effort in Afghanistan.  They run a wonderful Provincial Reconstruction Team in Wardak province.  They will decide how to proceed as they go forward."