Serbian President Hails Türkiye as Key Stabilising Power in the Balkans

Belgrade, The Gulf Observer: Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has praised Türkiye as a stabilising force in the Balkans, highlighting the country’s crucial role in supporting peace in the region. Speaking alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during a joint press conference in Belgrade on Friday, Vučić emphasized Türkiye’s influence, describing it as “the greatest power in the Balkans.”

Erdoğan’s visit to Serbia is part of a broader Balkans tour aimed at strengthening regional ties. During his visit, the two countries signed 11 bilateral agreements spanning sectors such as energy, communications, and trade. Vučić expressed Serbia’s gratitude for Türkiye’s investments and its critical role in helping parts of the Serbian economy thrive.

“Our economic and commercial relations form the engine of our bilateral cooperation with Serbia. Our trade volume has exceeded two billion dollars for two consecutive years, and our target is now five billion dollars,” Erdoğan remarked. He also underscored the potential for deeper cooperation in the defense industry and urged third countries to avoid interfering in the defense policies of both Türkiye and Serbia.

Both leaders highlighted the importance of dialogue in resolving regional issues, with Vučić lauding Erdoğan’s understanding of the Balkans’ challenges and his consistent advocacy for peaceful solutions. Erdoğan also commended Serbia’s constructive approach in aiding Bosnia and Herzegovina to move beyond its political instability.

Türkiye sees Serbia as a crucial partner for regional stability and has expressed its continued support for Serbia’s integration into the European Union. According to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, relations between the two countries are progressing positively, with high-level visits and economic ties growing stronger.

The agreements signed during Erdoğan’s visit further solidify cooperation between the two nations across multiple fields, including disaster management, sports, social security, and media collaboration. Notable agreements include an industrial cooperation pact between Turkish Industry Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır and Serbian Economy Minister Adrijana Mesarovic, and an energy collaboration agreement signed by Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar and Serbian Energy Minister Dubravka Handanović.

Additionally, a sister city agreement was formalized between the mayors of Belgrade and Gaziantep, further symbolizing the strengthening ties between the two nations.