Duraković: Better relations between Russia and Turkey can help improve relations between Serbs and Bosniaks in BiH

The historic meeting of the leaders of Russia and Turkey will have, not direct, but certainly indirect implications for relations both in the region and in BiH itself, according to BiH academics, reports the news agency Patria.  

They assess the meeting between Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as positive, but are also sure that it was forced, due to the circumstances in which both world superpowers find themselves.

The meeting will benefit both Turkey and Russia, believes academician Esad Duraković. The meeting, he adds, is a slap in the face to the EU, sending a message, especially from Turkey, that there are other possible allies. There can be indirect effects on the region and BiH.

-This is another move that testifies to Putin's growing influence on the international stage, and objectively speaking, however paradoxical it may sound, Putin's excessive influence does not impress us in BiH, because he supports Dodik, who is the biggest destroyer of BiH, believes Esad Duraković, an academic. 

The meeting between Putin and Erdoğan can contribute to resolving the crisis in the Middle East, which would positively reflect on Europe, and thus on the Balkans, believes Duraković. He believes that the thawing of relations between Russia and Turkey can also help improve relations between Bosniaks and Serbs in BiH.

-Such positioning of Bosniaks and Serbs in BiH is the result of some historical legacy, which can be overcome. Both Russia, as an Orthodox country, and Turkey, as a predominantly Muslim country, show that they can be excellent allies, added Duraković.

However, Duraković warns, Bosniaks should not be forced to align themselves either with Erdoğan or with his opponents, after the attempted coup, reports TV1.