Turkish president speaks over phone with Serbian counterpart

ANKARA

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a phone call with Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic, Turkey’s Communications Directorate said on Saturday.

Erdogan and Vucic discussed steps to improve Turkey-Serbia relations and regional issues, according to a statement.

On Friday, Vucic also conveyed his condolences to Erdogan for the victims who died due to the wildfires, and said Serbia is ready to help Turkey douse blazes and recover from the fires.

Since July 28, a total of 98 forest fires erupted in Turkey, with most of them being in southern regions, while the Turkish authorities managed to take 88 of them under control, but six people have so far lost their lives due to fires.

*Writing by Merve Berker.