U.S. President Barrack Obama praised Turkey efforts towards bringing stability in Afghanistan, following a meeting with Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan Monday.

Erdogan said Turkish military and police are ready to train their Afghan counterparts, and will press ahead with health, education and infrastructure projects there.

Erdogan expressed readiness to contribute to the formation of a police force in case an agreement could be reached.

Before leaving to the U.S. on Sunday, however, Erdogan said Turkey has already contributed the "necessary number" of troops.

While both countries agree on the need to stabilize Afghanistan, Turkey has has not accepted U.S. insistances to send troops on NATO combat operations.

Turkey took over the rotating command of the NATO peacekeeping operation in Kabul last month and doubled its number of troops to around 1,750.

Speaking to the press after the meeting, Obama said Turkey's contribution in Afghanistan had helped build stability in Afghanistan.

Obama also praised Premier Erdogan's bold steps towards normalization relations with Armenia noting that he further encouraged the Turkish Premier on that path during their meeting.

He said they reiterated the commitment of the two countries to fight with militancy wherever it might occur, expressing his condolences for the seven Turkish soldiers who were killed in a terrorist ambush earlier on Monday.

Agencies