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Anadolu Agency (11 October 2019)

'I want to see more Turkish tourists, investors, and assets in Serbia,' says President Aleksandar Vucic.

Praising Turkey’s efforts for bilateral stability and regional relations, Serbia’s president said Turkey is a vital partner of his state.

"Turkey is one of the most important countries and partners for Serbia," President Aleksandar Vucic told Anadolu Agency in an exclusive interview.

Evaluating Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s two-day visit to Serbia on Oct. 7-8, Vucic said the two leaders reiterated that both countries were enjoying advanced bilateral political relations.

Vucic emphasized that bilateral relations are based on mutual trust.

“Although we have diverging opinions at some points, we consult and negotiate with each other. Thanks to President Erdogan, bilateral stability and relations with other actors in the region have improved significantly," said Vucic.

Trade volume is increasing

Serbia’s president said economic relations covered another significant part of Erdogan’s visit.

The trade volume between Turkey and Serbia was €800 million ($881.4 million) two years ago, Vucic said, while it is expected to reach €1.2 billion ($1.3 billion) by the end of 2019.

"I always underline an issue: Only Turks have agreed to invest in rural areas of Serbia. Others have invested in cities or highways. Therefore, I would like to thank Turkish investors very much."

He said tripartite relations between Turkey, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina were among the key part of Erdogan’s visit.

Vucic stated that Turkish president “has also helped stabilize relations between countries in the region” and has made everyone assume more responsibility.

Serbia will take more steps to attract more Turkish people for touristic and cultural purposes, he said.

"Therefore, it was important that we lay the foundations of the Belgrade-Sarajevo highway together. This project is very important for all of us. Without President Erdogan, I'm not sure how all this would have been solved. So, it was important that he visited Serbia," said Vucic.

To read the rest of the article, please click: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/turkey-is-a-vital-partner-of-serbia-president/1609805