Balkans | President Erdogan: We expect Kosovo and Serbia to show peaceful and constructive approaches

President Erdogan said, “We support the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, and we expect the parties to show peaceful and constructive directions.” He said.

president Recep Tayyip Erdogan“We support the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, and we expect the parties to show peaceful and constructive approaches. We hope that the dialogue process with Serbia will end in a way that guarantees lasting peace and stability in the region.” He said.

President Erdoğan spoke at the joint press conference after meeting with Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti, who is on a working visit to Turkey at his invitation, at Vahiddin Palace.

Expressing sorrow and wishes for a “speedy recovery” after the flood disaster in northern Kosovo last week, President Erdoğan said that Turkey and the Turkish nation have always stood by their brothers in Kosovo and will continue to stand by them from now on.

President Erdogan stated that they are ready to provide the necessary support to heal the wounds of the flood disaster.

Noting that Turkey is the second country to recognize Kosovo after the United States, Erdoğan said, “And we had a very meaningful knowledge. Prime Minister, I was at the cabinet meeting at that time and they told me that America recognized Kosovo. And I was there.” We are the second country to recognize Kosovo. Now”. I said we know, good luck. But at the moment, unfortunately, we have not been able to reach the expected number. As far as I learned tonight, the number 117 has been reached, but we will be engaged in extensive work and hopefully we will reach the target number.” Use phrases.

We support Kosovo’s vision of membership in NATO, the Council of Europe and the European Union.

President Erdoğan congratulated the 15th anniversary of Kosovo’s independence, which will be achieved on February 17, and said:

We are continuing our joint efforts to ensure that Kosovo attains the place it deserves in the international arena. In this regard, we support Kosovo’s vision of membership in NATO, the Council of Europe and the European Union. In our meetings, we discussed what we can do in the fields of economy, trade, energy, defense industry, and combating terrorism, as well as our political relations. In order to increase our cooperation and solidarity against the activities of the FETO terrorist organization in Kosovo, I have asked my good friend to make a completely different effort in this regard. With the Free Trade Agreement coming into force in 2019, we have achieved positive momentum in our trade volume. I think we need to increase our foreign trade volume, which was 610 million euros last year, to a completely different level, we are the country that exports the most to Kosovo, now we need to reach 1 billion euros. Our companies’ investments in Kosovo are currently around 400 million Euros. Our entrepreneurs are ready to increase their contribution to their brothers in Kosovo by providing them with the necessary opportunities. Our development assistance continues. To date, TIKA has provided nearly €100 million in resources to the citizens of Kosovo through nearly 700 projects. Together, we will continue to implement valuable projects that will increase the welfare of our brothers in Kosovo.”

Pointing out that the Turkish community in Kosovo, which constitutes an important dimension of Turkish-Kosovo relations and builds heart bridges between countries, gladly follows the contributions made in every field for the development of Kosovo, Erdogan stressed that he appreciates the position of the Kosovo authorities. towards their citizens.

“Turkey is ready to provide any necessary support for peace and stability in our region.”

Emphasizing that they attach great importance to the development of peaceful relations between Kosovo and all its neighbors, President Erdoğan continued:

In this context, we support dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia and expect the parties to show peaceful and constructive approaches. We hope that the dialogue process with Serbia will end in a way that guarantees lasting peace and stability in the region. Turkey is also ready to provide all necessary support for the establishment of peace and stability in our region and to make the necessary contribution if requested by the parties. We will continue to take steps that will strengthen our code of brotherhood with a prosperous Kosovo that will be the guarantor of peace and stability in its region.”

He conveyed his greetings to the friendly and brotherly people of Kosovo in his name and on behalf of his nation, and President Erdogan wished that Korti’s visit would benefit both countries and the region. Erdogan concluded his speech by expressing his love and respect for Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti and his accompanying delegation.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Youth and Sports Mehmet Muharram Qasab Oglu, Director of Presidential Communications Fahrettin Altun, Presidential Spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin and the Kosovo delegation.

Kosovo Prime Minister Kurti: “We will always be grateful to Turkey”

Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo Albin CortiPointing out that NATO’s intervention in 1999 stopped the genocide against the people of Kosovo, he said that they will always be grateful to Turkey for its role in this issue.

Prime Minister Kurti spoke at the joint press conference held after the meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at Vahiddin Palace in Istanbul.

Kurti said that during their meeting with President Erdogan, they discussed the friendly relations between Kosovo and Turkey and how they can strengthen this friendship.

Also expressing their value for cooperation opportunities in the fields of economy, trade, defense and security, Kurti said they also discussed regional developments.

Referring to NATO’s intervention in Kosovo in 1999, Prime Minister Kurti said: “We will always be grateful to Turkey for its role in NATO’s intervention in Kosovo. This intervention stopped the genocide against the people of Kosovo and was important to the country’s establishment and peace.” He said.

Expressing support for Kosovo in Turkey’s EU and NATO membership process, Kurti thanked President Erdogan for his support.

Kurti said that one of the most important goals of the Kosovo administration is to create a suitable environment to attract foreign investors, so that they can develop a sustainable economy.

Referring to the trade relations between Kosovo and Turkey, Kurti said: “Turkey is one of the important economic and trade partners for us. Of course, it makes us happy, but it should not be enough for us. We can use our existing cooperation to reach higher potential.” He said.

Pointing out that the Turkish community in Kosovo plays an important and positive role in the country’s history, Kurti said: “Our Turkish community is part of our social and cultural mosaic. A large number of representatives of this community work in both central and local institutions and in this way contribute to the well-being of Kosovo.” Use phrases.

Expressing that Turkish citizens of Kosovo origin also play an important role in the history of Turkey, Kurti said, “Living together is the common value of our two countries. Both the Turkish community in Kosovo and the Albanian community in Turkey have formed an important bridge for the relations between the two countries. Your foundation is good, our ties are strong, And the willpower is great. We have to work for more possibilities, more cooperation than that.” He rated it.

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