UPDATE - Turkey urges joint international action to stem any Afghan migrant surge

REVISED UPDATES WITH MORE QUOTES FROM TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER; ADDS QUOTES FROM DUTCH FOREIGN MINISTER; CHANGES THROUGHOUT

By Merve Aydogan

ANKARA (AA) - In the wake of the Taliban takeover, the international community must take joint action to deal with a possible migration surge from Afghanistan, and not just throw money at the problem, Turkey's foreign minister said on Thursday.

Asked whether a renewed Turkish migration deal with the European Union would include Afghans, Mevlut Cavusoglu rejected any deal that is limited to financial assistance in return for Turkey hosting refugees.

"Cooperation with an understanding that 'we're paying, so keep the Afghans in your country' is not acceptable,” Cavusoglu told a press conference with his Dutch counterpart Sigrid Kaag in Turkey's capital Ankara.

“We've been saying from the beginning that we will not accept such an offer."

He added that once safety and stability is established in Afghanistan, Afghan refugees must be able to return to their country voluntarily and in a dignified way.

Cavusoglu said Turkey does not differentiate between irregular migrants sent back from Greece under the 2016 Turkey-EU migration deal, underlining that migrants sent back also include Afghan nationals.

Arguing that an updated migration deal must include the issue of a safe return for both Afghan and Syrian refugees to their respective countries, he said: "This issue is continuing to worsen, creating problems. If it's a problem for the EU, then it's problem for Turkey, too."

He noted that following the Taliban takeover of the Afghan capital Kabul last month, Turkey aided various countries’ efforts to evacuate their nationals from the war-torn country. He added that Turkey had "more than fulfilled" its moral and humanitarian responsibilities.

Stressing that Turkey's "greatest hope" for Afghanistan is for the country to "ensure order and stability as soon as possible," Cavusoglu stressed that the transition period must be done inclusively.

A possible deepening of the crisis in Afghanistan would not only affect the region and beyond, said Cavusoglu, adding that steps in the country must be coordinated and that such matters must not be tackled only by Turkey or Qatar.

On resuming charter flights from Kabul, Cavusoglu said first such conditions as security in and around the airport must be fulfilled.

He also affirmed that the Taliban and other unnamed countries requested Turkey's cooperation securing and running Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport.

"Security must to be established in a way that everyone is confident in it. We conveyed our thoughts on this matter to the Taliban," he added.

On the Turkey-EU 2016 migration deal, Cavusoglu said Turkey did its part under the deal, but the EU failed to do so.

According to Cavusoglu, the EU has not responded to Turkey's proposal on updating the deal, and instead pledged fresh funds of €3 billion ($3.6 billion) to support refugees in Turkey, referring to a June 25 statement by European Commission President Ursula von de Leyen.

Turkey has complained that the EU failed to uphold its pledges on visa liberalization and updating the 1995 Customs Union agreement, and also failed to fully deliver €6 billion ($7.12 billion) in aid under the deal.

- Turkish-Dutch ties

On relations with the Netherlands, Cavusoglu hailed the countries' bilateral ties and their "advancing" economic cooperation.

"The Netherlands is the largest investor in Turkey, and these investments continue to rise. Likewise, Turkish investments in the Netherlands are growing," he said.

Cavusoglu also said that in his meeting with Dutch Foreign Minister Kaag, relations with the EU were addressed "openly and clearly," and that Turkey once again pushed for updating the 1995 Customs Union with the bloc.

For her part, Kaag also praised her country's relations with Turkey, saying: "I would like to reiterate on the strong bilateral ties we have, politically and economically, and we're seeking opportunities to advance."

She also noted that the two countries are members of the NATO alliance. "We have been longtime partners not only in (NATO-led) Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan but in many other areas as well."

Echoing her Turkish counterpart on the need for security and stability in Afghanistan, she said the Netherlands' priority is to secure "the safe evacuation of our national citizens, people who have a right to reside in Netherlands."

She also vowed on behalf of her country not to "abandon the people of Afghanistan."

Countries must work together and invest in Afghanistan, Kaag said on the issue of refugees. The "significant burden" that it lays on the economy and society of hosting countries is "often ignored or easily overlooked," she added.