Turkey has a special strategic position, wars are raging along its borders, it survived a coup attempt and copes with the pressure of the migrant influx and Europe should appreciate that, the Bosniak member of the country’s tripartite Presidency said on Friday.
“It is taking care of three million refugees in a very humane way and in this way it not only helps them but also helps Europe and Europe should have all this in mind and change its attitude towards Turkey and President Erdogan,” Izetbegovic said.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will arrive on Sunday for a working visit to Bosnia but will also address the Turkish diaspora living in Europe at a gathering that has been criticized by many who fear Bosnia is sending the wrong message to the EU by facilitating a rally EU countries have refused to host.
Germany and the Netherlands have previously banned Erdogan’s campaigning on their territory but Bosnia has agreed to host the rally.
Everybody wants to have some influence Bosnia, some countries have bad intentions, others have good intentions, but Turkey’s is growing and benevolent, Izetbegovic said.
“What does Turkey want in the Balkans? It is what we see it’s doing. Through diplomatic help it wants reconciliation in the region, investments in the region, infrastructure projects, help on Bosnia’s path toward EU membership, in its integration into NATO, very concrete things concerning quotas for meat export (…),” the President listed.
“As long as this is the case, I see no reason for a part of Bosnia’s public to have such an attitude toward President Erdogan. He is welcome in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” he declared.
Turkey has offered to finance a highway that would connect Belgrade and Sarajevo and has a meat export deal with Bosnia which Izetbegovic hopes Erdogan will extend.
“I expect such a decision in regard the meat quotas. I expect a loan to be extended, a very good loan which Turkey has granted to us and from which particularly refugees and returnees are benefiting,” Izetbegovic said.
“And finally and most importantly, a letter of intent should be signed tomorrow by the Ministries of Traffic of Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina which will define the construction of the highway but also a railway and some other things,” he said.
Turkey is a rising country in every aspect and has returned to its original values and its religion, the President said.
“Turkey’s strength is not based on riches like oil, it is based on something much more solid and that is knowledge and work,” Izetbegovic said.
He inherited the special friendship with Erdogan from his father, Alija Izetbegovic, The Presidency member said.
“The friendships, I believe, will be permanent. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey and Bosniaks and Turks will continue strengthening their bonds,” Izetbegovic said.
