Bosnian premier to push trade ties on Turkey visit

BELGRADE, Serbia

Bosnian Prime Minister Denis Zvizdic will arrive in Turkey on Thursday hoping to boost trade between the two nations.

Zvizdic will arrive in Ankara for a three-day trip at the invitation of Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu hoping to increase the current trade volume of around 500 million euros ($569 million).

While in Turkey, Zvizdic will sign a trade deal to achieve this goal and meet Davutoglu, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Parliament Speaker Ismail Kahraman.

“The most important part of the agreement will be [on] meat exports to Turkey,” Zvizdic told Anadolu Agency on Wednesday. “In addition to that, we also strive to develop white cheese and other dairy products.”

The deal will aim to establish quotas to facilitate long-term planning for Bosnian agricultural exports.

“We expect the support and understanding of the Turkish side,” Zvizdic said.

Bosnia and Turkey have been forging closer links in recent years. In 2012, Turkey’s Ziraat Bank extended a 100 million euro loan to help resettle returning refugees who fled during the violent break-up of Yugoslavia and last year loaned 50 million euros for small- and medium-sized businesses.

“I thank Turkey for its contribution to Bosnia-Herzegovina,” Zvizdic said. “Especially the support during the latest floods [in 2014], economic encouragement for Bosnian citizens who are returning back to their homeland and the two credit lines for small- and medium-sized businesses.”

The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) has conducted more than 700 projects in Bosnia-Herzegovina since 1995, including the restoration of the 16th century Ottoman Ferhadija Mosque in Banja Luka, which was destroyed by Serb forces in 1993.

The mosque is due to be reopened on May 7, the anniversary of its destruction.

“This opening is an important event,” the premier said. “This is a historical and cultural heritage, not just a place of worship but also a symbol. This mosque represents our true tradition. We would be honored if President Recep Tayyip Erdogan or Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu participated with a delegation.

“Turkey has made significant assistance in the reintegration of this historical heritage.”

During his visit, Zvizdic is expected to see the site of last month’s Ankara bomb attack in Kizilay Square, where PKK terrorists killed 36 people.