President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Inaugurates TİKA Projects in Serbia

President Erdoğan, who was in Serbia to hold official visits and attend the Turkey-Serbia-Bosnia and Herzegovina Trilateral Summit, inaugurated the projects of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) in Sremska Raca village and participated in the groundbreaking ceremony.

Starting his speech at the ceremony by greeting all the participants, Erdoğan said, "Today, we are witnessing a historic moment for our countries. We are proud of completing 12 important projects.” Reminding that the meeting that opened the way for the Belgrade-Sarajevo Highway project was held in Istanbul with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and the former Bosniak member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Bakir Izetbegovic in early 2018, Erdoğan said, “Immediately after that meeting, we worked hard to implement the Balkan peace project.” Extending his thanks to his counterpart Vucic, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zeljko Komsic, and the members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina for their support to the project, Erdoğan said, “We consider the bridge over the Sava River, whose foundations are laid today, as the bridge of friendship and attach a special value to it. We have great expectations from Taş Yapı for the proper realization of the project as soon as possible. I believe that this Turkish company will complete the project before the delivery date.”

– "We will build our future together"

President Erdoğan said, “Our historical and cultural heritage is our common wealth. Every work in this land is a monument to our solidarity and cooperation. We will build our future together with inspiration, power, and courage from the past. The last example of this is the Ram Fortress, one of the pearls of the Danube River, whose restoration was completed by TİKA. I believe that this wonderful example of our cultural heritage will contribute to the tourism potential of the region and I hope it will be beneficial.” Stating that they will hold the groundbreaking ceremony of the Novi Pazar-Tutin road, Erdoğan thanked Vucic and the relevant ministers for supporting the project, which will facilitate the transportation of the Sanjak region to other regions and increase the economic and commercial dynamism. Reminding that the former Mayor of Tutin Semsudin Kucevic lost his life in an accident on Novi Pazar-Tutin road in 2017, Erdoğan conveyed his condolences to Kucevic's family and the people of Tutin. Stating that they will open the Novi Pazar Supreme Court Judicial Academy branch, which was constructed and equipped by TİKA, and Valide Sultan Mosque in Sjenica, which was renovated by TİKA, Erdoğan said, “I hope that our investments will be beneficial to all the people of the region. Turkey will continue to increase its investments in Serbia.”

Erdoğan said they will also open the factories of Felix Academy, Berteks Textile, and Söylemez Kauçuk as well as the additional facilities of Teklas Automotive and Jeanci Textile, and Eurotay Textile Factory which will operate in full capacity in a short time. Stating that they will hold the groundbreaking ceremony of FEKA Automotive Factory today, Erdoğan wished that all investments would be beneficial for the region and the people of the region. President Erdoğan said, "Turkey's sole desire is peace and stability in the Balkans. In the last quarter of the century, these lands have experienced grave sufferings and paid serious costs. We should see our differences not as an element of conflict but as our wealth, and build our future together. We should improve our cooperation in all areas. I hope that we will add new ones to these projects, which are our common pride, in the coming period.”

Erdoğan thanked his counterpart Vucic for hosting them and said “I believe that we will build the future of the region much more powerfully. I would like to thank you and convey regards to you from Turkey.” Following the speeches, Erdoğan, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zeljko Komsic, Bosniak member Sefik Dzaferovic and Serb member Milorad Dodik started the groundbreaking by pushing the button. Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Bekir Pakdemirli, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Cahit Turan, Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun, and many guests attended the ceremony.