Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said on Friday that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Serbia assumes special importance in the context of current political and economic challenges on the world stage.
Vučić stated in a socia media post:
“The visit of one of the most influential statesmen in the modern world, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is always a great honor for Serbia, especially in times when the global stage is marked by both political and economic challenges.”
He emphasised the importance of the visit for strengthening bilateral ties and promoting stability in the Western Balkans, a region “that has often been beset by conflicts.”
Vučić stressed the economic aspect of the visit, noting that Turkey is a key investor in Serbia. He said, emphasising the importance of these discussions amid global economic challenges:
“We will discuss new projects and investments, including infrastructure, energy, and trade.”
Turkey is currently the fifth largest source of imports for Serbia, and the medium-term goal is a bilateral trade volume of $5 billion.
The Serbian leader also pointed to the long history of co-operation between the two countries, noting that such high-level meetings provide opportunities to deepen ties, especially in the security and economic fields. Vučić concluded:
“This visit represents an important step in strengthening bilateral ties in these challenging times, enhancing the platform for future dialogue and co-operation — key factors for peace and stability in the Balkans.”
Strengthening relations between Ankara and Belgrade
Erdogan arrived in Serbia on Thursday evening, where he was solemnly welcomed by the Serbian head of state. The official meeting of the Turkish delegation took place on Friday in front of the government complex “Palata Srbije” in the presence of all members of the Serbian government. After the ceremony, the presidents went for one-on-one talks.
Vučić emphasised that Erdogan’s visit contributes to strengthening relations between the countries, which is important for stability in the Western Balkans. He also noted that Turkey and Serbia have a long history of co-operation and such meetings contribute to deepening security and economic ties. The programme of the visit includes signing co-operation documents and holding a business forum for Turkish and Serbian companies.
The two leaders last met in September on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. Erdogan previously visited Serbia in September 2022 and in October 2019.
