PLANS FOR AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN SUMMITS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 001661 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/17/2019 TAGS: AF PGOV PREL TU SUBJECT: PLANS FOR AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN SUMMITS Classified By: DCM Doug Silliman for reasons 1.4(b,d) ¶1. (C) Turkey plans to involve itself actively in organizing meetings related to both Afghanistan and Pakistan in the coming year. Turkey's "Action Plan for Afghanistan" (included in para 4 below),which lists "immediate steps" for Turkish efforts in Afghanistan, includes convening the fourth Afghanistan-Pakistan-Turkey Trilateral Summit, hosting a formal Afghanistan regional summit in Istanbul, and a possible offer to host the International Summit on Afghanistan. Ankara Process- Trilateral Summit -------------- ¶2. (C) The first item listed on Turkey's "Action Plan" is convening the fourth Trilateral Summit. During a meeting on November 17, MFA U/S Engin Soysal told us that plans are underway for the fourth Trilateral Summit. It will be preceded by a meeting of the three foreign ministers as well as security and intelligence meetings. The Summit will likely be thematic, possibly focusing on "education." During President Gul's meeting with President Karzai at the November 9 Istanbul OIC COMSEC meeting, they agreed that this would take place as soon as possible. Soysal said they would appreciate U.S. support for these efforts particularly by praising the previous efforts of Afghanistan and Pakistan in the trilateral events. He said that there have been positive signs in Af-Pak relations, including lowering of tensions between the two countries as evidenced by President Karzai's attendance at Pakistani President Zardari's inauguration, and the likelihood that this will be reciprocated. Afghanistan Regional Summit -------------- ¶3. (C) Soysal said that they also have plans to host a formal regional summit on Afghanistan. Although invitees have yet to be determined, he said that "regional" will likely be interpreted broadly. During the informal Afghanistan neighbors side meeting at COMSEC, both Saudi Arabia and UAE participated, and so would likely be invited to the formal summit. The GOT is considering inviting China to the regional summit. This summit would take place in Istanbul, date to be determined. The MFA's "Action Plan" also notes that Turkey may offer to host the International Summit on Afghanistan in February of 2010. Action Plan -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Begin Text of Turkey's "Action Plan for Afghanistan:" Action Plan for Afghanistan Immediate Steps ¶1. Turkey will take initiative to convene the fourth Trilateral Summit among Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkey. The agenda could include "education." The Summit Meeting will be preceded by a trilateral Foreign Ministers Meeting. Other meetings will follow also in the context of the Ankara Process. ¶2. Following the Istanbul Consultations on 9 November 2009, the regional summit comprising all the neighbors of Afghanistan as well as key regional and extra regional observers will be held in Istanbul. ¶3. Turkey will host the RECCA Regional Economic Cooperation meeting in 2010. ¶4. A mechanism will be established to inform Afghanistan regarding the substance of the Turkey-U.S. bilateral consultation process. Similarly, Turkey will inform Afghanistan on the substance of the Turkey-EU consultations on Afghanistan. ¶5. A mechanism will be set up to facilitate coordination between the U.S.-Afghanistan-Pakistan and Turkey-Afghanistan-Pakistan trilateral processes. ¶6. A second civilian PRT will be established in Jowzjan province. ¶7. Turkey will assume the role of the coordinator in the UN Security Council on issues pertaining to Afghanistan as of ANKARA 00001661 002 OF 002 early 2010. ¶8. Turkey will take initiatives, in coordination with Afghanistan, to ensure that the Islamic Development Bank, Economic Cooperation Organization Trade and Development Bank and other international financial institutions contribute to reconstruction projects in Afghanistan. ¶9. Turkey may offer to host the International Summit on Afghanistan in February 2010. End Text. JEFFREY "Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.intelink.s gov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turkey"