Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed that he may receive the leader of the Taliban movement in the coming period, as part of efforts to end the fighting in Afghanistan.

Erdogan's speech came during a television interview with CNN TURK on Wednesday evening, during which he touched on the latest developments in Afghanistan.

In the context of the interview, the Turkish president said that the relevant Turkish institutions are taking the necessary measures regarding developments in Afghanistan, including talks with the Taliban, "and I can even receive its leaders in the coming period."

The Turkish president added that he held talks with the Qatari side on Wednesday evening about stopping the Taliban's steps and ways to achieve reconciliation.

Erdogan had previously announced that his country would secure the international airport in the Afghan capital, Kabul, after the US withdrawal. He said at the time that Ankara and Washington had agreed on "arrangements" for Turkish forces to secure Kabul Airport after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.

In turn, Reuters news agency quoted two Turkish officials on Wednesday as saying that their country is still determined at the present time to manage and protect Kabul Airport after the withdrawal of other foreign forces from Afghanistan, but is monitoring the situation after the Taliban achieved rapid gains on the ground.

On the other hand, the Taliban movement warned Turkey against keeping forces in Afghanistan to protect the airport, and considered the decision of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to keep its forces to secure Kabul International Airport as a continuation of the occupation of Afghanistan.

She said - then in a statement - that "an Islamic country like Turkey should not take over the protection of Kabul International Airport," and that "this will have negative repercussions on the future of Turkey and the Afghan people."

But Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said yesterday, Wednesday, in statements to foreign media in Islamabad - after talks with Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar - that his country is making efforts to facilitate talks between the Taliban and Ankara.

"The best thing is for Turkey and the Taliban to have a direct dialogue, so that the two sides can talk about the reasons why Kabul airport should be secured," Khan added.