Nikolić talks economy, asks Turkey "not to lobby for Kosovo"

ANKARA President Tomislav Nikolic focused on economic relations and the need to advance them during Wednesday's trilateral summit in Ankara, Turkey. Addressing the participants of the trilateral summit of Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Turkey, the Serbian president concluded that "all sides are genuinely open to intensifying economic cooperation." Nikolic talks economy, asks Turkey "not to lobby for Kosovo" "We, as heads of state, need to give a clear signal to businessmen, traders and investors from all three countries that building more connections is profitable and can help improve the living standard, which is the goal of us all," said Nikolic. According to Nikolic, the trilateral declaration on economic and trade cooperation signed Tuesday represents a good legal basis for joint investments in third or fourth markets. "It would be very useful to examine, and later exploit, the advantages one of our countries has in other parts of the world and exchange information which would lead to making a profit. Turkish investors are welcome, and Serbia and, I am sure, Bosnia will do everything to create an even better climate for investments," said Nikolic. Nikolic said areas with potential for cooperation include the textile, automobile, pharmaceutical and food industries, agriculture, energy and production of furniture, and invited investors from Turkey to get in on the privatization of spas and hotel resorts in Serbia. "If our three countries are developed and their citizens rich, or at the very least not poor, then political, military and security stability is also more likely," said Nikolic, adding that this trilateral cooperation also sends a good message to the EU. "The European behavior of the leaders of Serbia, Turkey and Bosnia will be the strongest argument with which to rightfully ask for a common European future for our countries and citizens," said Nikolic. When it comes to political relations, Nikolic appealed to his colleagues to solve all problems "in the family," and when acting internationally, take the interests of all members of the trilateral into account. Serbia unquestionably supports Turkish efforts to ensure peace and stability for its people through negotiations with Kurdish representatives and is ready to offer advice, service or support, said Nikolic. "Serbia also expects understanding and support from Turkey and Bosnia in matters of importance to Belgrade. I am referring primarily to the issue of Kosovo," said Nikolic, who informed the Turkish and Bosnian officials about the results of the Brussels dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. Recalling that NATO offered guarantees that Kosovo armed forces will not cross into majority Serb areas as part of the agreement, Nikolic urged Turkey, as a member of the alliance, to help make sure the guarantees given by the NATO secretary general are honored. Thanking Bosnia for not recognizing Kosovo's unilaterally declared independence, Nikolic noted that despite deep disagreement with Ankara's decision to be among the first to recognize the illegally proclaimed state of Kosovo, Belgrade has continued seeking ways to keep Serbian-Turkish relations from going downhill. "Now we expect Turkey to keep the Kosovo issue out of its talks with other allies and, I will be completely honest since I am sitting among friends, not advocate for the recognition of Kosovo with other countries or lobby for Kosovo's membership in international organizations," said Nikolic. For the Serbian people, Kosovo remains an autonomous province in Serbia, and its legal status will be regulated by a special Serbian constitutional law rather than some international legal instrument. According to Nikolic, Serbia sees both Bosnia and Turkey as "friends it can rely on." (Beta/AP) Tanjug

Nikolić talks economy, asks Turkey "not to lobby for Kosovo"

"We, as heads of state, need to give a clear signal to businessmen, traders and investors from all three countries that building more connections is profitable and can help improve the living standard, which is the goal of us all," said Nikolić.

According to Nikolić, the trilateral declaration on economic and trade cooperation signed Tuesday represents a good legal basis for joint investments in third or fourth markets.

"It would be very useful to examine, and later exploit, the advantages one of our countries has in other parts of the world and exchange information which would lead to making a profit. Turkish investors are welcome, and Serbia and, I am sure, Bosnia will do everything to create an even better climate for investments," said Nikolić.

Nikolić said areas with potential for cooperation include the textile, automobile, pharmaceutical and food industries, agriculture, energy and production of furniture, and invited investors from Turkey to get in on the privatization of spas and hotel resorts in Serbia.

"If our three countries are developed and their citizens rich, or at the very least not poor, then political, military and security stability is also more likely," said Nikolić, adding that this trilateral cooperation also sends a good message to the EU.

"The European behavior of the leaders of Serbia, Turkey and Bosnia will be the strongest argument with which to rightfully ask for a common European future for our countries and citizens," said Nikolić.

When it comes to political relations, Nikolić appealed to his colleagues to solve all problems "in the family," and when acting internationally, take the interests of all members of the trilateral into account.

Serbia unquestionably supports Turkish efforts to ensure peace and stability for its people through negotiations with Kurdish representatives and is ready to offer advice, service or support, said Nikolić.

"Serbia also expects understanding and support from Turkey and Bosnia in matters of importance to Belgrade. I am referring primarily to the issue of Kosovo," said Nikolić, who informed the Turkish and Bosnian officials about the results of the Brussels dialogue between Belgrade and Priština.

Recalling that NATO offered guarantees that Kosovo armed forces will not cross into majority Serb areas as part of the agreement, Nikolić urged Turkey, as a member of the alliance, to help make sure the guarantees given by the NATO secretary general are honored.

Thanking Bosnia for not recognizing Kosovo's unilaterally declared independence, Nikolić noted that despite deep disagreement with Ankara's decision to be among the first to recognize the illegally proclaimed state of Kosovo, Belgrade has continued seeking ways to keep Serbian-Turkish relations from going downhill.

"Now we expect Turkey to keep the Kosovo issue out of its talks with other allies and, I will be completely honest since I am sitting among friends, not advocate for the recognition of Kosovo with other countries or lobby for Kosovo's membership in international organizations," said Nikolić.

For the Serbian people, Kosovo remains an autonomous province in Serbia, and its legal status will be regulated by a special Serbian constitutional law rather than some international legal instrument.

According to Nikolić, Serbia sees both Bosnia and Turkey as "friends it can rely on."