President Erdoğan: We aim to increase our trade volume with Bosnia and Herzegovina to $1 billion

 

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Chairman Milorad Dodik of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidential Council held a joint press conference following their meeting, which was also attended by Council Members Željko Komšić and Šefik Džaferović.

“WE WILL SEND 30 THOUSAND DOSES OF VACCINE TO THE BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA”

Stating that the meetings between Turkey and the Bosnia and Herzegovina could not be held at the required frequency over the past year due to the coronavirus pandemic, President Erdoğan extended his condolences for those who have lost their lives in the Bosnia and Herzegovina because of the COVID-19, and said: “We appreciate the common will displayed by the Presidential Council in the fight against the pandemic. We, for our part, have stood with the Bosnia and Herzegovina since the beginning of the pandemic with the understanding of ‘A friend in need is a friend indeed.’ We will inshallah preserve this stance of ours from now on as well. In addition, we will send 30 thousand doses of vaccine to the Bosnia and Herzegovina following this visit.”

“WE ATTACH GREAT IMPORTANCE TO BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA’S PEACE AND STABILITY”

“We as Turkey attach great importance to the peace and stability of the Bosnia and Herzegovina,” President Erdoğan stressed, and added that Turkey works to support all kinds of efforts to be exerted for the prosperity and development of the Bosnian and Herzegovinian people.

Noting that all aspects of bilateral relations have been discussed during the meetings held today, President Erdoğan said: “Our bilateral trade volume reached $650 million in 2020, growing more than ninefold since the free trade agreement took effect. Undoubtedly, the two countries’ potential is way above this level. We aim to increase our trade volume to $1 billion in a short span of time.”

“WE HAVE AGREED ON RENDERING TURKEY-BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA-CROATIA TRILATERAL MECHANISM FUNCTIONAL”

Pointing out that the next meeting of Turkey-Bosnia and Herzegovina-Serbia Trilateral Summit will be held in Sarajevo, President Erdoğan went on to say: “We have also agreed on rendering Turkey-Bosnia and Herzegovina-Croatia Trilateral Mechanism functional. We have reiterated our country’s support for the Bosnia and Herzegovina’s integration with European-Atlantic institutions, NATO in particular. I believe that the talks we have held today will further consolidate our steps for concrete cooperation and wish that the talks may lead to auspicious outcomes.”

“EGYPTIAN PEOPLE WILL NOT FALL OUT WITH US”

Answering reporters’ questions following his remarks, President Erdoğan, in answer to a question regarding the recent developments in the Eastern Mediterranean in terms of the recently-resumed diplomatic contacts between Turkey and Egypt and the military exercise carried out by Greece in Chios Island, which is a demilitarized zone, amid exploratory talks, said: “First of all, Turkey’s determination on the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean maintains; it is out of the question for us to make any concession on this. Besides, our Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recently issued a resolute statement regarding this issue. In addition to this, our Ministry of Defense has also issued statements. As regards Egypt, I do not think the Egyptian people will fall out with us. The Egyptian people will not fall out with us. It appears to me that the recently-taken steps are actually temporary and manifestation of a mistake.”  

Following the press conference, President Erdoğan hosted an official dinner in honor of Chairman Milorad Dodik and Members Željko Komšić and Šefik Džaferović of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidential Council.