Vučić and Erdoğan's meeting in Belgrade: Preserve stability in the region, Serbia will show different signals towards BiH

(Patria) - Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić welcomed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in front of the Palace of Serbia. After the ceremonial reception, a meeting was held, followed by the Fourth session of the High Council for Cooperation between Serbia and Turkey, after which 11 different agreements and memoranda of cooperation between the two countries were signed.

After the meeting with Turkish President Erdoğan, Vučić stated that today's talks will contribute to the development of Serbian-Turkish relations.

"We discussed the problems faced by Serbia and Turkey. We talked about the relations our country has with the EU. Serbia and its citizens will benefit significantly from this, as I see and learn new things and put them into practice," says Vučić.

Turkey and Serbia have good economic relations, and trade volume in the first five months of this year was 2 billion euros.

Erdoğan arrived in Belgrade on Thursday evening with a large delegation from the Turkish Government and investors.

At a joint press conference, Vučić stated that the essence of all discussions with the Turkish President is to preserve peace and stability in the region, as economic cooperation is only possible under such conditions.

"All of this we are talking about, increasing trade, increasing exchange in the sphere of services, economic progress – all of this is possible only when you have peace and stability," Vučić told reporters after the meeting with Erdoğan in Belgrade, when asked about concrete steps Serbia and Turkey intend to take regarding the stability of the Balkans.

He said that Erdoğan has many ideas and that they discussed how to permanently preserve peace and how everyone in the region can improve cooperation.

"In line with this, we will try to expand and show somewhat different signs and signals towards Bosnia and Herzegovina, and vice versa. To guarantee those who come after us security, peace, and commitment to solving problems, especially economic development," said Vučić.

Vučić added that he always has open discussions with Erdoğan, even on topics they do not agree on.

"I am grateful to the Turkish President Erdoğan for understanding the problems in the Balkans well and for knowing that peace and dialogue are the only way to solve these problems," stated Vučić.

He noted that Turkey is the biggest player in the Balkans and that he expects support from it in all processes.

"Turkey is one of, or the biggest player in the Balkans and the most powerful country. We expect support from it in all these processes, and I am grateful to President Erdoğan for always wanting this and always emphasizing it, and for always wanting to talk to everyone," said Vučić.

Erdoğan said that during bilateral talks, they set the path for the future of relations between the two countries, and emphasized that there is great room for their improvement.

"Our relationship with Serbia is such that I can say it is a 'golden age' between the two countries," said Erdoğan.

Erdoğan said that during the talks, they underlined the importance of peace and cooperation in the Balkans. They specifically addressed the tensions in Kosovo and the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They also discussed the situation in Ukraine and emphasized that both countries support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, and will advocate for the establishment of peace.

"We once again underlined the importance of preserving peace in the Balkans. We confirmed our determination to protect stability in BiH; it is politically very vulnerable, and that is a fact that must be taken into account but also changed as soon as possible. And I think Serbia will play a very constructive role, and I have emphasized this many times," said Erdoğan.