Holding a press conference at Istanbul Atatürk Airport ahead of his departure for Bosnia and Herzegovina, President Erdoğan said: “With its historical, social, religious and cultural roots, Turkey is also a Balkan country. Peace, stability, serenity and prosperity in the Balkans are of paramount importance to us. Our country doesn’t have the luxury of watching the developments in this region from afar. In this spirit, we work for the preservation of the multicultural fabric and domestic peace in the Balkans.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan left Turkey for Bosnia and Herzegovina to attend the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) meeting in Sarajevo.
“With its historical and cultural roots, Turkey is also a Balkan country”
President Erdoğan said: “With its historical, social, religious and cultural roots, Turkey is also a Balkan country. Peace, stability, serenity and prosperity in the Balkans are of paramount importance to us. Our country doesn’t have the luxury of watching the developments in this region from afar. In this spirit, we work for the preservation of the multicultural fabric and domestic peace in the Balkans.”
Noting that Turkey contributes to the preservation of regional peace in the Balkans through not only bilateral mechanisms but also various international platforms, President Erdoğan underlined that the SEECP is the only regional cooperation and dialogue platform that encompasses all the Balkan countries.
“Our drilling vessels continue their exploration and research activities in the eastern mediterranean”
In response to a question regarding the latest developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, President Erdoğan stated that Turkey’s drilling ships continue their exploration and research activities in the Eastern Mediterranean in line with their own roadmaps.
Highlighting that none of the disturbing voices regarding the issue can deter Turkey from its path, President Erdoğan laid emphasis on the fact that the process is determinedly maintained by Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
Recalling that he reminded, once again, some foreign leaders of Turkey’s sensitivities regarding the issue during the G20 Summit, President Erdoğan noted that he congratulated by phone Mr. Mitsotakis on his electoral victory in Greece, and went on to say: “It is my wish that we may resume a new process in peace and solidarity with Greece. Now that the elections have been completed, we will of course carry on with our talks via our relevant officials. It is our desire that we don’t experience any trouble in the Aegean and the Mediterranean in the period ahead.”
Delivery of S-400s
Asked about the delivery process of the S-400s, President Erdoğan said: “Preparations for the shipment are ongoing. It would be right if you don’t force us to announce a definite timetable. However, shipment preparations, loading works, etc. are in progress. There is already a definite timetable we had agreed on with them. The responsibility to decide where they will be deployed rests with the Ministry of National Defense and the General Staff.”
President Erdoğan and his retinue left Turkey for Bosnia and Herzegovina following the press conference.
Accompanying President Erdoğan on his visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina are First Lady Emine Erdoğan, Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar, Minister of Treasury and Finance Berat Albayrak and Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Cahit Turhan.