Serbian Ambassador highlights ‘bright era’ in Türkiye-Serbia relations

Serbian Ambassador to Ankara Aca Jovanovic has hailed the past few years as “one of the brightest eras” in the history of Serbia-Türkiye relations, underscoring the positive and evolving ties between the two nations.

“The last few years are considered one of the brightest periods in the history of relations between the two countries,” Jovanovic told Anadolu Agency.

Extraordinary relations between leaders

Jovanovic praised the relationship between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as “extraordinary,” noting that serving in Türkiye is a “great honor” for him.

Emphasizing Türkiye’s significant role in the current international order, Jovanovic said, “Türkiye’s significance and influence are extremely meaningful and important. Previously, Türkiye served as a bridge between the West and the East. Now, especially amid crises like those in Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, and similar crises, Türkiye is very important.”

The envoy highlighted Ankara’s mediatory and conciliatory role, stating, “Even on issues where our positions may differ, such as the Kosovo issue, it is crucial for us that the Republic of Türkiye advocates for peaceful dialogue in resolving the issue.”

Economic cooperation and infrastructure projects

Reflecting on his tenure at the Serbian Embassy in Kyiv, Jovanovic mentioned significant developments he closely followed, such as the signing of the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

Stressing the importance of bilateral cooperation, Jovanovic noted that Türkiye is actively involved in various fields in Serbia, including infrastructure projects and road construction. He also highlighted Türkiye’s role in a project connecting Serbia to Bosnia and Herzegovina, showcasing Türkiye’s influence in the construction sector.

The ambassador underscored the importance of economic cooperation, revealing that the bilateral trade volume reached 2.3 billion euros ($2.49 billion) last year, with an ambitious target of 5 billion euros. He also mentioned that Turkish business investments in Serbia reached $400 million by 2023, expressing optimism that they would soon achieve the 5 billion target euros.

Jovanovic commenced his duties in Ankara after presenting his credentials to President Erdogan on July 17.