Turkey and Erdogan are interested in economy and investments, political problems are an internal issue of BiH

SARAJevo, (Patria) - Sociologist and political analyst Slavo Kukić has well (pre)assessed the visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Bosnia and Herzegovina a few days before his arrival in Sarajevo on Friday.

Kukić is convinced that Erdoğan's primary concern is economic interests, not only in BiH but in the entire region, especially in Serbia, and that he has no interest in singling out anyone in BiH or opposing them.

“He is only looking at Turkey's interests and Turkey's geopolitical ambitions, which include not only BiH but also Bulgaria and Serbia. These geopolitical interests of Turkey encompass these areas and do not imply different attitudes towards one, another, or a third party, but rather he tries to find a common denominator to tie them all to himself as much as possible,” Kukić believes.

In his address after the meeting at the Presidency of BiH, Erdoğan stated that Turkey's support for BiH's Euro-Atlantic integration, territorial integrity, political unity, and sovereignty, which are keys to regional peace, has been confirmed.

“We will continue to work together to preserve regional stability,” Erdoğan said.

Although different views were expressed by two members of the BiH Presidency, Željko Komšić and Šefik Džaferović, on one side, and Milorad Dodik on the other, President Erdoğan did not engage in any qualifications or express any political stance.

When asked a clear journalistic question about the political situation and functioning of BiH, as well as Ankara's stance towards the new High Representative Christian Schmidt, Erdoğan exclusively directed his answer to economic issues and highlighted the problems faced by Turkish companies in BiH. He added that he wants to increase the volume of trade between Turkey and BiH to 1 billion euros annually and facilitate investment in BiH.

Although Dodik mentioned Erdoğan in the context of certain talks and negotiations about new relations or even the organization of BiH, which would include Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, the Turkish president did not react to this either.

After visiting BiH and Montenegro, he reiterated today that “our close attention to the Balkans will continue.”

“Therefore, we are closely monitoring developments and assisting Bosnia and Herzegovina in political, economic, military, regional, and other fields. We hope that the internal political problems in Bosnia and Herzegovina will be resolved within the framework of territorial integrity and political unity,” Erdoğan emphasized.

He announced the continuation of contacts with all parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“We plan to raise the volume of trade with BiH to one billion euros. Therefore, we are taking additional steps. I attach great importance to the completion of the Sarajevo-Belgrade highway. This highway will be a project for the peace of the Balkans and will contribute to the development, peace, and stability of the entire region. The bridge over the Sava River will also be completed by the end of 2022. We laid the foundations together with the leaders. We consider these projects that will contribute to the economic development of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.