SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Turkey will always support Bosnia and its people in the fight against terrorism, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Thursday.
Addressing a joint press conference with his Bosnian counterpart Igor Crnadak in the capital Sarajevo, Cavusoglu said: "Turkey will always support Bosnia and Herzegovina and the people of Bosnia in the fight against terrorism just like we support it in other fields."
About the recent attack on a police station in eastern Bosnia, the Turkish foreign minister offered condolences to the family of the slain police officer and citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
"We agreed that unfortunately both countries faced similar problems and together we are ready to fight against all forms of terrorism," Crnadak said.
A gunman had shot dead a police officer and wounded two other officers Monday evening at a police station in Zvornik, a town in the Republika Srpska, one of the two entities that make up Bosnia-Herzegovina. The gunman too was killed in the incident.
Cavusoglu also said that he had a productive meeting with his Bosnian counterpart during which both sides discussed about enhancing bilateral ties further.
"The relationship between our two countries is perfect,” he said.
He added that Turkey was one of the largest investors in Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to the Turkish Foreign Ministry’s website, trade between Turkey and Bosnia exceeded $363 million in 2012.
He pointed out that Turkey was supporting the country’s EU membership and NATO accession process.
Cavusoglu also announced Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit Bosnia and Herzegovina in May on the invitation of Bosnian Presidency.
Crnadak in his remarks also expressed his satisfaction with his meetings with Cavusoglu, and termed them as highly successful and constructive.
During his visit, Cavusoglu also met Bosniak and Serb members of the Bosnian Presidency Council and chairman of the House of Representatives, Sefik Dzaferovic, president of the National Assembly, Barisa Colak and Prime Minister Denis Zvizdic.
Cavusoglu will later attend the opening ceremony of a children's park built by the Turkish International Cooperation and Coordination Agency.
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