The Bosnia and Herzegovina member of the Presidency highlights the potential for further strengthening ties between Sarajevo and Ankara in a number of areas, such as infrastructure and energy.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Presidency member Denis Becirovic emphasized the significance of Ankara’s backing for Sarajevo and hailed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a true friend of his nation.
Becirovic said in an exclusive interview with Anadolu that Turkey’s relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina are based on historical, cultural, and spiritual links in addition to political and economic ones.
According to him, the two nations have a cordial and cooperative relationship with potential for further growth in a number of areas, such as trade, security, and defense.
“We have met multiple times over the past two years and discussed various issues,” he said, referring to discussions with Erdogan. We discussed ways to improve peace and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as the surrounding area.
“As a world-renowned statesman, President Erdogan’s support for Bosnia and Herzegovina is crucial. As seen by his words and deeds, he is a true friend of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Supporting a peaceful, stable, multiethnic, territorially intact Bosnia and Herzegovina is therefore crucial for the Turkish president and Türrkiye.
On the economic front, Becirovic emphasized the notable progress made in recent years in trade between the two nations, with the audacious objective of surpassing $1 billion in bilateral trade.
He also emphasized the potential for further strengthening ties between the two nations in a number of areas, including as infrastructure and energy.
EU integration process and US ties
He emphasized that after President-elect Donald Trump takes office, they plan to fortify and develop their ties with Washington.
“I hope the US fundamental policy toward Bosnia and Herzegovina will remain consistent in the coming period,” the Bosnian leader said, reaffirming US support for the country’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
Becirovic highlighted the risks associated with attempts to redraw borders in the Balkans, calling such efforts “catastrophic.” He called on countries in the area to put their citizens’ welfare ahead of their own destabilizing goals.
“We have witnessed the immense suffering caused by such efforts,” he added, further denouncing Serbia for interfering in the internal affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is challenging to forecast the course of our European journey given the destructive forces endangering Bosnia and Herzegovina’s constitutional order, peace, and stability.
However, the quality of life for our inhabitants will be greatly impacted by our entry into the EU. The ongoing domestic political barriers remain the biggest hindrance to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU accession process.
