Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the importance of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s stability for the wider Balkan region during a high-level meeting in Washington on Tuesday, according to sources from Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Anadolu Agency reports.

The meeting at the State Department included discussions on regional security and cooperation, with a particular focus on developments in the Balkans.

In recent months, several Bosnian politicians have met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Fidan. BiH Presidency Chair Zeljka Cvijanovic and Presidency member Denis Becirovic have both held talks with Erdogan. Additionally, the leaders of the Democratic Action Party (SDA), Bakir Izetbegovic, and the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD), Milorad Dodik, also met with the Turkish president. Meanwhile, Bosnia’s Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic has engaged in discussions with his Turkish counterpart Fidan.

While details from the Rubio-Fidan meeting regarding Bosnia remain scarce, it is clear that a strong message was sent regarding the country, which is facing one of its most significant political crises.

The two foreign ministers also underscored the importance of cooperation with the Syrian government.

“Both sides emphasized the importance of working with the Syrian government and expressed their determination to stabilize Syria and combat terrorism,” Turkish Foreign Ministry sources stated.

Anadolu sources reported that Fidan and Rubio also addressed a range of regional and bilateral issues, including the urgent need for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza, which they view as crucial for regional stability.

The talks also covered efforts to broker a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, with Turkey voicing its support for recent US initiatives in this regard.

Furthermore, according to sources who spoke with Anadolu, the Turkish and US foreign ministers discussed the ongoing peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia.