Q:
A:
EU membership aim of both Serbia and Turkey
Belgrade,
12 October 2005
Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul talked today and stressed the closeness of Serbia and Turkey, their good relations and their mutual aim of EU membership.
They were both extremely pleased with the EU’s recent decision to start talks with Serbia-Montenegro and Turkey, which will add to better overall stability and economic development in the Balkans.
Kostunica said that EU integration is Serbia’s priority, that the country is thoroughly devoted to the realisation of this goal, and that it is well prepared for the beginning of talks on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU.
During the meeting, they paid special attention to the situation in Kosovo-Metohija and agreed that the solution must be sought through a dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. This solution has to result from a compromise and be acceptable for both parties in question.
Kostunica said that when looking for a solution, the issue of stability in the region must not be ignored and it can neither be forced nor one-sided. He added that solutions should be looked for within the framework of the state union’s existing borders and through dialogue and compromise.
The Prime Minister said that special attention must be given to the position of all ethnic communities and to the respect of their human rights, giving as an example the importance of the ethnic-Turkish community in Kosovo-Metohija for the stability of the area and the entire region.
Gul said that Turkey is completely satisfied with the position of ethnic-Turks in Serbia and added that the Serbian government is taking great care of its ethnic minorities.
Kostunica and Gul both expressed readiness to strengthen economic ties between their countries and said that there is a need for finalising agreements on free trade, which will improve further economic cooperation.
Gul said that Turkish businessmen are interested in investing in Serbia, while Kostunica remarked that all investments are welcome, and invited Turkish businessmen to participate in the investment process in Serbia, since there are many opportunities, particularly in the area of infrastructure.
Kostunica said that EU integration is Serbia’s priority, that the country is thoroughly devoted to the realisation of this goal, and that it is well prepared for the beginning of talks on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU.
During the meeting, they paid special attention to the situation in Kosovo-Metohija and agreed that the solution must be sought through a dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. This solution has to result from a compromise and be acceptable for both parties in question.
Kostunica said that when looking for a solution, the issue of stability in the region must not be ignored and it can neither be forced nor one-sided. He added that solutions should be looked for within the framework of the state union’s existing borders and through dialogue and compromise.
The Prime Minister said that special attention must be given to the position of all ethnic communities and to the respect of their human rights, giving as an example the importance of the ethnic-Turkish community in Kosovo-Metohija for the stability of the area and the entire region.
Gul said that Turkey is completely satisfied with the position of ethnic-Turks in Serbia and added that the Serbian government is taking great care of its ethnic minorities.
Kostunica and Gul both expressed readiness to strengthen economic ties between their countries and said that there is a need for finalising agreements on free trade, which will improve further economic cooperation.
Gul said that Turkish businessmen are interested in investing in Serbia, while Kostunica remarked that all investments are welcome, and invited Turkish businessmen to participate in the investment process in Serbia, since there are many opportunities, particularly in the area of infrastructure.
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