Erdogan Reaffirms Türkiye’s Role in Promoting Peace and Stability in Balkans

Erdogan Reaffirms Türkiye’s Role in Promoting Peace and Stability in Balkans

Ankara, The Gulf Observer: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reiterated Türkiye’s unwavering dedication to promoting peace and stability in the Balkans, emphasizing the country’s readiness to fulfill its responsibilities in the region. His remarks were made during a discussion with journalists aboard the presidential plane following a productive two-day visit to Albania and Serbia on October 10-11.

President Erdogan underscored the importance of the trilateral consultation mechanism between Türkiye, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Serbia, reaffirming Türkiye’s commitment to maintaining stability in the Balkans. “Türkiye stands ready to play an active role in fostering peace in the region,” he stated.

Reflecting on the success of his visits, Erdogan described the discussions in both countries as highly productive, noting that the trip provided an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations and exchange views on pressing global issues, including the situation in Gaza and developments in the Balkans.

During his visit to Albania, President Erdogan and Prime Minister Edi Rama signed key agreements in various sectors, including higher education, agriculture, and media. The Turkish leader also emphasized the importance of joint counterterrorism efforts, particularly against FETO, in his talks with Albanian President Bajram Begaj. A significant highlight of the visit was the opening of the Namazgah Mosque in Tirana, the largest mosque in the Balkans, which was constructed with Turkish support. Erdogan hailed the mosque as a symbol of shared history and a hub for community unity.

In Serbia, President Erdogan and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic presided over the fourth High-Level Cooperation Council meeting, during which 11 new agreements were signed, covering trade, infrastructure, and defense. Erdogan set an ambitious bilateral trade target of $5 billion, praising Turkish investments in Serbia, especially in the construction sector. He also highlighted the growing people-to-people ties between the two nations, noting the significant increase in mutual visits over the past year.

The discussions also covered strategic issues, including the importance of the Sandzak region and Türkiye’s support for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue. Erdogan stressed Türkiye’s role as a mediator in addressing rising ethnic tensions in Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina, reaffirming the country’s historical, cultural, and political ties with the Balkans.

On broader regional matters, Erdogan spoke about Türkiye’s ongoing efforts to resolve long-standing disputes with Greece, expressing optimism that constructive negotiations would help ease tensions in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. He confirmed that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan would visit Greece to address key issues related to maritime and airspace rights under international law.

Addressing the escalating conflict in Gaza, President Erdogan condemned Israel’s actions and confirmed that Turkish intelligence was closely monitoring the situation to safeguard national security. He reiterated Türkiye’s commitment to holding Israel accountable through diplomatic and legal means, stressing that justice for the oppressed would remain a priority for his administration.

Erdogan also raised concerns about the potential spread of Israeli aggression to Lebanon and Syria, warning that such developments could further destabilize the region. He reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to Syria’s territorial integrity and called for de-escalation and a lasting peace in the area.

Throughout the discussions, Erdogan highlighted Türkiye’s proactive role in promoting diplomacy and peacebuilding, both in the Balkans and the broader region, and reiterated the country’s commitment to regional stability, security, and cooperation.