Minister Košarac and Ambassador Koc Discuss Meat Exports to Turkey

(Patria) - Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH Staša Košarac received the Ambassador of Turkey to BiH Haldun Koc today in Sarajevo, with whom he discussed cooperation in the field of trade, meat exports from BiH to Turkey, and other current issues. The interlocutors expressed satisfaction with the good bilateral relations between BiH and Turkey, and emphasized their readiness to improve cooperation in the field of trade.

Speaking about the continuation of beef exports from BiH to Turkey, Minister Košarac informed Ambassador Koc about the agreed position with the competent entity ministers regarding the necessity of equal treatment for companies from Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH that are certified by the competent inspection bodies of BiH and Turkey. Minister Košarac emphasized that the previous practice of unilateral positioning of companies from the Federation of BiH is unacceptable, and that companies from Republika Srpska must also be included in the process of exporting meat to Turkey, as there is capacity and need for it due to realized surpluses in primary production. He pointed out that companies from all over BiH, which are certified for meat exports to Turkey, must purchase domestic production.

''We are aware of the fact that due to reduced domestic consumption, meat exports have increased the accumulation of domestic production. Therefore, I asked Ambassador Koc to increase the open quota of 3,000 tons by at least an additional 2,000 tons for 2020, which would make the open quota 5,000 tons. This would ensure greater trade exchange, as well as the purchase of domestic production'', said Minister Košarac.

Minister Košarac and Ambassador Koc agreed that, after the resumption of regular flights between BiH and Turkey, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH will host a working meeting of representatives of the Turkish Embassy in BiH, competent entity ministries, and representatives of certified companies for meat exports from BiH to Turkey, in order to reach a final agreement and improve this process.

The meeting today also discussed the organization of the bilateral trade committee between BiH and Turkey. In this regard, it was tentatively agreed that the meeting would be held in mid-July in Turkey, and it was emphasized that this would be an opportunity to discuss any open issues in the field of trade between the two countries.

Regarding the organization of the trilateral committee BiH – Serbia – Turkey, the interlocutors stated that it will be postponed until the completion of the elections in Serbia.