TİKA Continues Operations In Serbia

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolich received Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency President Dr. Serdar Çam and the accompanying delegation that were in Balkans to form various contacts in his office.

Serbian President Nikolich and his wife Dragica Nikolich negotiated with Turkey’s Ambassador to Belgrade Bozay Mehmet Kemal, TIKA President Dr. Serdar Çam, Head of the Balkans and Eastern Europe Department Ali Maskan, Head of Human Resources and Support Services Department Dr. Gökçen Kalkan and TIKA officials in the Presidency building in Belgrade. During his speech at the negotiation, Serbian President Nikolich stated that he has been following Turkey’s economic development in the recent years with great interest. Referring to TIKA’s operations in his country, Serbian President Nikolich stated that his wife Dragica Nikolich, who is also head of a foundation that executes humanitarian activities in the field of health in Serbia, was recently in Turkey and very pleased with her visit.

Stating that the foundation directed by his wife operates in healthcare such as mother and child safety and working on projects on obstetrics and gynecology, Serbian President Nikolic further relayed that the foundation thanks TIKA for the support they have given. Stating that there aren’t any unresolved issues between Turkey and Serbia, Serbian President Nikolic expressed that he meets President Abdullah Gül three times a year and that indicates the level of importance of the relations between two countries.

Expressing that there are several nations residing at Serbia and they are making efforts to resolve their problems, Serbian President Nikolic stated that they are very pleased for projects executed by Turkey through TIKA especially for Sancak region as well as other parts in Serbia. Stating that they are very pleased for Turkey’s efforts in Balkans to preserve peace, Serbian President Nikolic underlined Turkey’s importance in terms of economy and politics.

TIKA President Dr. Serdar Çam thanked Serbian President Nikolic for receiving them and his support for TIKA’s projects in Serbia. TIKA President Dr. Serdar Çam relayed that they want to help Serbia as much as possible to increase peace and tranquility in the region. Emphasizing their knowledge of Serbia’s importance, role and the position in the region, TIKA President Dr. Serdar Çam wished success for Serbia on their way to EU membership.

Stating that their negotiation with Serbian President Nikolic is an indication of Serbia’s interest in Turkey, Turkish state and government, TIKA President Dr. Serdar Çam said, “When Mr. President’s wife visited Turkey the previous week, she personally visited TIKA and expressed her appreciation about the work carried out in there. She requested support for the following operations. This is an indication showing that TIKA’s projects in many areas are welcomed in almost all regions of Serbia.”

Stating that Turkey and Serbia have common history and several common aspects, TIKA President Dr. Serdar Çam said, “We live together in a region. Two nations that understand each other very well in bitterness and delight. When Ottoman Empire and Serbia is considered together in fact, two states with similar histories. In the previous periods it was divided into many new states, similar to Ottoman Empire. Therefore, it is much easier for us to understand them to empathize with them.”

Stating that Serbia is continuously increasing its love and respects towards Turkey, TIKA President Dr. Serdar Çam stated that Turkey is showing a similar approach towards Serbia.

TIKA President Dr. Serdar Çam visited the Şeyh Mustafa Türbe that under renovation by TIKA within the framework of his contacts in Belgrade. Following that TIKA President Dr. Serdar Çam met Belgrade’s Mufti Muhammed Yusufspahiç. Within the framework of his contacts in Belgrade, TIKA President Dr. Serdar Çam visited the only mosque in the city historical Bayraklı Mosque.

7 Ambulances were provided by TIKA to the Sancak Region of Serbia

7 Ambulances provided by TIKA were delivered to the 6 municipalities in the Sancak region where the Bosniak population is dense with a ceremony.

The ceremony held in Cultural Center’s garden in Novi Pazar was attended by, TIKA President Dr. Serdar Çam, Serbian President Tomislav Nikolich’s wife and Head of the Dragitsa Nikolich Foundation Dragitsa Nikolich, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Domestic and Foreign Trade and Telecommunications Rasim Lyayiç, Turkey’s ambassador to Belgrade Mehmet Kemal Bozay, Head of the Balkans and Eastern Europe Department Ali Maskan, Head of Human Resources and Support Services Department Dr. Gökçen Kalkan and TIKA officials.

During his speech at the ceremony, TIKA President Dr. Serdar Çam stated that he is pleased to be at Novi Pazar and reminded that he negotiated with Serbian President Tomislav Nikolich in Belgrade in scope of his Serbia visit. Expressing that Serbia and Turkey share a common history, TIKA President Dr. Serdar Çam stated that he shared his happiness for spending a very productive and delightful day during his visit to this country with Serbian President Nikolich. TIKA President Dr. Serdar Çam thanked Serbian President Tomislav Nikolich and his wife Dragitsa Nikolich for their support for healthcare.

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Domestic and Foreign Trade and Telecommunications Rasim Lyayiç indicated that Turkey does not only support Serbia but the entire region and thanked TIKA President Dr. Serdar Çam and Turkey’s ambassador to Belgrade Bozay.

Declaring that they will make efforts to further improve the cooperation between Serbia and Turkey, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Domestic and Foreign Trade and Telecommunications Lyayiç stated that they will work to strengthen both political and economic ties between the countries.

After the ceremony ambulances were delivered to the representatives of the Novi Pazar, Syenitsa, Nova Varoş, Tutin, Priboy and Priyepolye municipalities.