Turkey, Kosovo sign pact to boost cultural ties

By Burcu Calik, Ahmet Sait Akcay

ANKARA

Turkey and Kosovo agreed on Wednesday to boost cultural ties between the two countries.

Culture and Tourism Minister Numan Kurtulmus and his Kosovar counterpart Kujtim Gashi signed a cultural cooperation agreement between Turkey and Kosovo in the capital Ankara.

Kurtulmus said that Kosovo, as a sister country, still has remnants of the centuries-long Ottoman presence and era, adding: “We will further enhance friendship and brotherhood with Kosovo by increasing bilateral relations, especially in culture, art, and other areas.”

Gashi, for his part, said that the countries have enjoyed a long history of ties.

He added that the agreement would provide clearer paths for enhancing bilateral cultural activities.

Kosovo, a former Ottoman territory, declared independence on Feb. 17, 2008, and is recognized by over 100 countries, including the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, and Turkey.

Turkey was one of the first countries to recognize Kosovo’s independence, and its dynamic foreign policy in the Balkans continues to place special importance on Kosovo.