World, Europe

Serbian president-elect extends invitation to Erdogan

Aleksandar Vucic meets Turkish ambassador ahead of assuming office on May 31

28.04.2017 - Update : 28.04.2017
Serbian president-elect extends invitation to Erdogan Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic (R) received Turkey's Ambassador to Belgrade Tanju Bilgic (L) in Belgrade, Serbia on April 28, 2017. ( Talha Öztürk - Anadolu Agency )

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia

Serbian president-elect Aleksandar Vucic used a Friday meeting with Turkey’s ambassador to invite President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to visit the Balkan country.

"Vucic in a friendly conversation, invited the president of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan to visit Serbia and expressed his wish that relations with Turkey and its people continue to be in constant rise," Ambassador Tanju Bilgic said in a statement.

Vucic -- who was elected president of Serbia earlier this month -- conveyed deep gratitude to Turkish companies investing in the country, especially on the assistance provided in difficult times.

During the meeting, Vucic and Bilgic also discussed the activities of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).

Vucic said he fully supported TIKA’s various projects, such as the renovation of the High Court building in Novi Pazar and the reconstruction of the Belgrade maternity hospital.

Speaking later to Anadolu Agency, Bilgic said the meeting passed in a friendly atmosphere and confirmed Vucic’s invitation to Erdogan.

"Vucic expressed satisfaction with Turkish investments and pointed out how important they are for the Serbian economy," said Bilgic.

Erdogan held a telephone conversation with Vucic after the Serbian leader’s first-round victory in the country’s April 2 presidential election.

The Turkish president said he would like to be the first to visit Vucic after he assumed office on May 31.

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