Speaking at a joint press conference with Serbian President Vucic, President Erdoğan said: “We have addressed what we can do in terms of the consolidation of economic development and the preservation of stability in the Balkans. Our mutual trade and investments with Serbia, which are increasing each passing day, are the engine, so to speak, of our relations. Total trade volume reached some 3.5 billion dollars last year. We are step by step approaching our 5-billion-dollar target.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President Aleksandar Vucic of Serbia held a joint press conference following their tête-à-tête, the meeting between the delegations and the signing ceremony of agreements at the Presidential Complex.
“Mutual trade and investments are the engine of our relations”
Stating that they have reviewed the effects of the important developments in both the regional and the global matters on our relations and have discussed the steps they will take in this regard, President Erdoğan said: “We have addressed what we can do in terms of the consolidation of economic development and the preservation of stability in the Balkans. Our mutual trade and investments with Serbia, which are increasing each passing day, are the engine, so to speak, of our relations. Total trade volume reached some 3.5 billion dollars last year. We are step by step approaching our 5-billion-dollar target.”
“Over 1,500 Turkish-capital firms operate in Serbia”
Drawing attention to the interest the Turkish investors show in Serbia, President Erdoğan noted: “While around 100 Turkish-capital firms operated in Serbia in 2015, today this number has exceeded 1,500, and the total amount of the investments has reached 300 million dollars. Our contractors, on the other hand, contribute to the construction of houses, roads and infrastructure with over 100 projects they have undertaken. We see that my treasured friend’s development strategy based on infrastructural investments and growth has an effect on us reaching this point.”
“We strengthen our bilateral relations with regional countries”
Stressing that Türkiye works with all its strength for the establishment of peace in its vicinity and beyond in a period when ambiguities are on the rise in the world, President Erdoğan went on to say: “Throughout our works, we never neglect the Balkans, which are very important to us. I consider Mr. Vucic’s visit to be valuable in this sense. While we strengthen our bilateral relations with regional countries, we also work to create the conditions aimed at supporting our peoples’ peace and prosperity through initiatives based on regional ownership. We hosted the second meeting of the Balkans Peace Platform, which is the latest example of our abovementioned approach, in Istanbul on January 23, 2026. I would like to thank Mr. Vucic for the personal support he provides on this platform.”
