Türkiye, Serbia sign 11 cooperation agreements in Belgrade
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic (R) shakes hands with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan prior to their meeting in Belgrade on October 11, 2024. - Erdogan, seeking to boost ties in a region once ruled by the Ottoman Empire, arrived from Albania to Serbia, where Turkey made a diplomatic comeback in 2017 with a landmark visit by Erdogan to Belgrade. (Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP)
Türkiye and Serbia signed 11 cooperation agreements on Friday, aimed at enhancing ties in various fields including energy, trade, technology, and defense, during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s official visit to Belgrade.
Strengthening Türkiye-Serbia relations
The signing ceremony took place at the Serbian Presidential Palace, with President Erdogan and his Serbian counterpart, Aleksandar Vucic, in attendance.
The agreements span sectors such as energy, social security, disaster management, sports, and media. The two leaders emphasized the importance of collaboration in promoting regional stability and enhancing defense industry cooperation.
Key agreements in energy and social security
Among the agreements signed, a memorandum of understanding in the field of energy transformation between Serbia’s Ministry of Mining and Energy and Türkiye’s Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources stands out. Additionally, the two countries inked an agreement to collaborate in social security matters, highlighting their commitment to strengthening ties across various sectors.
A focus on defense industry and future cooperation
President Erdogan highlighted the potential for further cooperation in the defense industry, stating, “Türkiye and Serbia must work together to enhance defense industry cooperation, ensuring peace and stability in the region.” He emphasized that this collaboration is vital for addressing security challenges in the Balkans.
President Vucic praised Türkiye as “the greatest power in the Balkans” and expressed optimism about deepening ties with Türkiye in defense and economic cooperation.
Erdogan’s remarks on stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina
During the joint press conference, Erdogan also underscored the importance of Serbia’s constructive role in maintaining stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He urged all regional actors to focus on dialogue and cooperation to foster lasting peace in the Balkans.
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