Turkey is ready to lend all kinds of support for Afghanistan’s unity but will follow a very cautious path, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said, reiterating it will first wait to see what sort of an administration the Taliban would establish to run this country with 40 million population.

“As Turkey, our objective is that Afghanistan should quickly recover. The Afghan people can no longer bear such a burden. It has a population of around 40 million and is a huge country. We are ready to give all kinds of support for Afghanistan’s unity and solidarity. As long as we see that approach in this sense from Afghanistan,” President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told journalists accompanying him on his return from Montenegro on Aug. 29.

The Taliban’s initial statements are moderate, but there are still doubts and Turkey will follow a very cautious policy, Erdoğan said, adding, “Look, around 200 people were killed unexpectedly. There are Taliban members among the death toll. The intelligence says DAESH-Khorasan is behind. We should therefore follow a cautious line.”

Turkey will first see how the Taliban will run the country in the coming period, Erdoğan said, recalling that Turkey has been supporting Afghanistan in the past 20 years concerning the country’s infrastructure and urban superstructure. “But, you see, for instance, the Taliban inflicted serious damage in northern Afghanistan. For instance, [General Rashid] Dostum, who is also a Turk, had to leave Afghanistan because he was under threat. Now, these are thought-provoking developments. We don’t know what will happen tomorrow,” he stressed.

Turkey is willing to help but the doors should be open to this end, Erdoğan underlined, repeating that the Turkish intelligence is continuing its talks with the Taliban. On a question, Erdoğan said Turkey may mull over making a deal with the Taliban for running the Kabul airport should the group make a proposal to Turkey.