Izetbegović receives Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Mustafa Şentop

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Speaker of the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina (PABiH) Bakir Izetbegović received today the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly
of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Şentop. In a cordial and friendly conversation, Speaker Izetbegović thanked for the support that the Republic of Turkey provides to Bosnia and Herzegovina in all integration
processes, as well as in restoring relations with neighboring countries in the Western Balkan region.

Highlighting the role that the Republic of Turkey, as a representative of Islamic countries, has in the Peace Implementation Council, Speaker Izetbegović particularly thanked for the assistance that the Republic of Turkey provided to Bosnia and Herzegovina in economic recovery, as well as in the restoration of cultural heritage, into which the Republic of Turkey has invested hundreds of millions of euros.

Thanking for the warm welcome, the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Şentop, emphasized that the Republic of Turkey will continue to strongly support Bosnia and Herzegovina on its path towards NATO and European Union membership.

Assessing NATO's invitation to Bosnia and Herzegovina to submit its first National Annual Program as an extremely important step, Mr. Şentop expressed confidence that the activation of the MAP will contribute to stability and faster economic development of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Stressing that preserving the territorial integrity and stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a priority for the Republic of Turkey, the Speaker of the Turkish Parliament emphasized that his country will continue to invest in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In this regard, he expressed confidence that the newly signed Free Trade Agreement will contribute to increasing the foreign trade exchange between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Turkey to one billion dollars in the near future.

The Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of the Republic of Turkey said he is pleased that the initiative of the Republic of Turkey regarding the construction of the Sarajevo – Belgrade highway has been accepted, and expressed hope that the method of implementation will be concretized very soon and construction of this very important infrastructure project will begin.

According to Mr. Şentop, the Republic of Turkey is also working on expanding and increasing investments in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the volume of which currently amounts to around 200 million dollars.

The meeting between Speaker Izetbegović and the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Şentop, was also attended by the Speaker of the Bosniak Caucus in the House of Peoples of PA BiH, Asim Sarajlić.