Erdogan wants to host Komšić and Džaferović as well

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will talk with Milorad Dodik, member of the BiH Presidency, tomorrow, but the other two members, Željko Komšić and Šefik Džaferović, could also have meetings in the coming days. Dodik said that he wants to explain the situation in BiH to Erdogan, and not just listen to "Bakir Izetbegović's whiny politics".

The Turkish president announced these meetings in a conversation with organizations around which citizens of Bosnian origin are gathered.

He said that he plans to host the members of the BiH Presidency in Ankara in the next few days.

He recalled the many sufferings recorded in the past, and expressed a desire for the Balkans not to be remembered for conflicts and tensions, but to be a source of peace.

"We want the Balkans to be a place of peace in Europe, more developed and economically stronger. We absolutely do not want Bosnia and Herzegovina to become a place of struggle and conflict for those who have interests in that area. With that stance, after the recent tensions that opened discussions about the unity and integrity of BiH, we have significantly accelerated our diplomatic efforts. We have taken initiatives as a country that respects the rights of all and talks with all parties in BiH. First, we sent the Minister of Foreign Affairs to BiH to clearly deliver our message. After that, during my visit to BiH in August, we reiterated our stance at the highest level. Then, the respected (member of the BiH Presidency Milorad, ed.) Dodik proposed mediation. All parties in BiH wanted Turkey to be involved in this process. We said: 'You are decisive among yourselves, we offer mediation, but respected Dodik, this cannot be only at your request. (BiH Presidency member Šefik, ed.) Džaferović and (BiH Presidency Chairman Željko, ed.) Komšić must also give strong support,'" said Erdogan.

He added that he also discussed this with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić in Istanbul on September 18.

"On Wednesday, I hosted (Deputy Speaker of the House of Peoples of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly and President of the Party of Democratic Action - SDA, ed.) Bakir Izetbegović, we had a working lunch. I talked with brother Bakir about the situation in the country and the tensions, we discussed how to reach a solution before escalation. At the meeting, we had the opportunity to discuss the contributions Turkey can make in this process. We hope that in the coming days we will be able to host officials from BiH, primarily Dodik, Komšić, and Džaferović. I plan to host them in Ankara and conduct the necessary talks there. We will make every effort so that what the late Alija Izetbegović left as a legacy is not destroyed," said Erdogan.

He added that they will continue dialogue with all parties so that BiH does not return to the old difficult days. He also said that he plans a possible one-day visit to Serbia or to invite and host Vučić in Ankara.

"I expect you to believe in Turkish diplomacy and the Republic of Turkey."

He stated that they, regardless of what others do, will continue to promote dialogue between Bosniaks, Serbs, Croats, Albanians, Macedonians...

"I believe that we will overcome this issue in a short time on the basis of justice and fairness with an approach based on compromise and resolution. I know that you, like all Bosniaks in our country, are concerned for valid reasons due to rising tensions. I am also aware that our people are closely following the developments. I expect you to believe in Turkish diplomacy and the Republic of Turkey. Turkey will not allow the sufferings of Bosnia and Herzegovina from the 1990s to be repeated. We will continue our initiatives until a lasting solution is reached. I don't even feel the need to say that we will not refrain from a more decisive stance if necessary. The Turkey of the late Alija's era is no more; today there is a different Turkey. Therefore, the steps we will take will be significantly different," the Turkish president also emphasized.