Bosnia leader praises Erdogan, highlights Türkiye’s support

Denis Becirovic, chairman of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Presidency, on Thursday praised President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a “sincere friend” of his country and stressed the importance of Ankara’s support for Sarajevo.

In an exclusive interview with Turkish news agency Anadolu, Becirovic said Türkiye’s ties with Bosnia and Herzegovina go beyond politics and economics, extending to historical, cultural, and spiritual connections.

“The relationship between our countries is one of friendship and cooperation, with the potential to grow further in areas like defense, security, and trade,” Becirovic said.

Speaking of his meetings with Erdogan, he noted: “We have met several times over the past two years and discussed various issues, including ways to strengthen peace and stability in the region.”

‘Türkiye’s support is extremely important’

“It is crucial that President Erdogan, a global statesman, supports Bosnia and Herzegovina. He is a sincere friend of our country, as evidenced by both his words and actions. Türkiye’s support for a peaceful, stable, and multi-ethnic Bosnia and Herzegovina with territorial integrity is extremely important.”

On the economic front, Becirovic pointed to recent progress in bilateral trade and expressed hope of surpassing €1 billion in trade between the two countries. He also identified energy and infrastructure as key areas for further cooperation.

Ties with US and EU integration process

Becirovic emphasized Bosnia and Herzegovina’s intention to strengthen ties with Washington following the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. He reaffirmed U.S. support for Bosnia’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, expressing optimism about continued cooperation.

“I hope the U.S. will maintain its consistent support for Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Becirovic said.

He warned against attempts to redraw borders in the Balkans, calling such efforts “catastrophic,” and urged regional nations to focus on improving their citizens’ welfare.

Becirovic criticized Serbia for interfering in Bosnia’s internal affairs, warning that destructive forces threaten Bosnia and Herzegovina’s constitutional order and stability. He added that while the country’s European Union accession would improve citizens’ living standards, internal political obstacles remain the biggest challenge in the EU integration process.