01. Sep 2021

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Nikola Selaković, attended, together with his Turkish colleague, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, the ceremonial opening of the Consulate General of the Republic of Turkey in Novi Pazar today.

Selaković conveyed to everyone present the cordial greetings and a message from the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, and emphasized that the President's message is not only in words, but also in his policy, in which Serbia's relations with Turkey are very important, as are our relations with our neighbors, friends, brothers and sisters Bosniaks.

The head of Serbian diplomacy said that this year marks 142 years of diplomatic relations between Serbia and Turkey and that we are proud that at this time our two countries are recording the highest level of relations characterized by trust, friendship and mutual cooperation.

"I am completely convinced that the future work of the Consulate General of Turkey in Novi Pazar will give a serious contribution to the development of that cooperation, but also a significant contribution to the further economic development of all municipalities in this region", said Minister Selaković.

He stated that he is trying to make the economic successes of Serbia and its progress felt by our fellow Bosniaks at every step.

"Our policy, the policy of development when it comes to this region, which Bosniaks call Sandzak, and we Serbs Raska, but we all live together in harmony and peace, is a policy, not of empty words, but of concrete results", said Minister Selaković.

He emphasized that the relations between Serbia and Turkey were marked by a serious personal relationship, a feeling of friendship and trust between the two presidents, Aleksandar Vučić and RecepTayyip Erdoğan.

"This example is an excellent example for every Serb and every Bosniak and Turk, because both Serbia and Turkey share the same vision of a peaceful and prosperous Balkans", said Minister Selaković.

The head of Serbian diplomacy also spoke about the significant trade exchange between Serbia and Turkey, which reached 1.32 billion euros last year, in the midst of the corona virus pandemic, as well as about significant investments in the construction of a general hospital and reconstruction of the "Bratstvo" school in Novi Pazar, as well as in the traffic infrastructure in this part of Serbia.

Turkish Foreign Minister MevlütÇavuşoğlu conveyed the cordial greetings of Turkish President RecepTayyipErdoğan and said that today is a historic day, and that the opening of the Consulate General in Novi Pazar will further improve ties and cooperation between Serbia and Turkey.

"Relations between Serbia and Turkey have reached the highest level in modern history, and the opening of the Consulate General is just one of the results of those good relations", said Minister Çavuşoğlu, reminding that in 2019, the presidents of Serbia and Turkey announced its opening.

He emphasized that he was happy that Bosnia and Herzegovina would also open its Consulate General in Novi Pazar.

A video address by President Erdoğan was also broadcast at the ceremony, who said that everyone testified that a strong emotional connection affects the relations between Turkey and Serbia, and said that the consulate in Novi Pazar would also reflect on the connection between the two countries.

According to him, a prosperous future awaits the Balkan peoples if they act in the spirit of friendship, solidarity and cooperation.