“Bilateral relations between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Turkey are at the historically highest level, while good strategic cooperation between the two countries is also important for the stability in the region”, as concluded at today’s meeting between the Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government, Aleksandar Martinović, PhD, and the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the Republic Serbia, Hami Aksoy.
The interlocutors have pointed out that the good relations between the two countries are primarily the result of mutual respect, understanding and friendly personal relations between the President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, and the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. It was also noted that Turkish investments in Serbia have reached EUR 400 million, that there are over 20 Turkish companies operating in our country that employ more than eight thousand people, and that a large Turkish company is also taking part in the construction of the Morava Corridor, which is one of the most important road routes in the Republic of Serbia.
Discussing the fact that the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) in Serbia has, thus far, implemented 326 projects worth EUR 40 million, the Minister and the Ambassador have discussed the possibilities for project cooperation between the Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Government and TİKA in the upcoming period, as well as for the realization of certain donations in certain local self-governments in Serbia.
Martinović has stressed that MDULS had successfully cooperated with the Republic of Turkey in the previous period, primarily in the area of civil records. He also added that 16 cities and municipalities in Serbia have concluded agreements on cooperation with Turkish local self-governments, which is an indicator that the partnership relations between the two countries have been achieved not only at the State level, but also at the local level.
The Minister has particularly pointed out that the President of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the Republic of Serbia are working intensively to establish the best possible relations between Serbs and Bosniaks living in our country, and that representatives of Bosniak political parties are present in the Government of the Republic of Serbia for years. As he has said, the State takes care of the well-being of all its citizens equally, regardless of their religious or ethnic affiliation.
Ambassador Aksoy has said that during the President Vučić’s term, Serbia flourished and is still on the rise, that it is among the fastest developing countries in the region and in which a lot of investments are made, and that the Republic of Turkey wants to contribute to that development. Expressing his gratitude for the state leadership taking care of the interests of Bosniaks living in Serbia, Aksoy has noted that one of the most important projects is the construction of the Novi Pazar – Tutin highway, as well as the fact that the opening of the Consulate General of Turkey in Novi Pazar was of great importance.
The Ambassador has congratulated the Minister on the fact that Belgrade will host EXPO 2027, while Martinović has emphasized that Serbia is extremely proud to have been given the opportunity to organize such a large and significant economic event, and that this will contribute to the further economic expansion of our country and shall substantially improve the entire Serbian economy.
Photo gallery – source: Tanjug
