PFG Head Dr Muamer Bacevac stressed that continuity of good relations is maintained to this very day and is reflected in the close relations between the two presidents, Aleksandar Vucic and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as well as in the good economic cooperation.

Bacevac expressed his satisfaction at the solemn celebration of a great Turkish holiday organised in Novi Pazar this year – 29 October, when a modern state was created thanks to Kemal Ataturk. Modern Serbia developed alongside the creation of modern Turkey, said Bacevac opining that our ties have been growing and progressing since then.

The fact that the Parliamentary Friendship Group with Serbia, boasting over 200 MPs, is the biggest in the Turkish parliament, speaks volumes of the good relations between the two countries, Dr Muamer Bacevac stressed, adding that it is an indicator of Turkey’s desire in to build strategic relations with Serbia, which Serbia is open to, eager to develop close cooperation across the board.

Ambassador Hami Aksoy agreed that Serbia and Turkey have close political, economic and cultural relations, which can be further improved. He opined that the introduction of direct flights between Belgrade and Ankara by the end of this year would also contribute to this. Ambassador Aksoy emphasised Turkish businessmen’s great interest in investing in Serbia, especially in infrastructure projects. He added that there is also room to improve interparliamentary cooperation and announced the imminent arrival of the Turkish Parliament Speaker to the National Assembly.

The meeting was also attended by PFG members Natasa Mihailovic-Vacic, Dr Ugljesa Mrdic and Samira Cosovic, who highlighted the close historical ties between the Serbian and Turkish people, adding that a large number of Serbian citizens live and work in Turkey. They also spoke about the good cooperation between the Serbian and Turkish regions.

Samira Cosovic especially emphasised the importance of the investments of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) in the city of Prijepolje, used to renovate cultural, preschool and school institutions, as well as a mosque, and provided support to the development of raspberry farming in the area.