Erdoğan, top diplomats from Balkan countries discuss ties, regional issues

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and foreign ministers from Balkan countries on Friday discussed bilateral relations and regional issues in a meeting held in Istanbul.

Montenegrin Foreign Minister Ervin Ibrahimovic, Kosovan Foreign Minister Donica Gervella-Schwarz, Bosnian Herzegovinian Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic, North Macedonian Timco Mucinski, Albanian Foreign Minister Elisa Spiropal and Serbian Deputy Foreign Minister Nevena Jovanovic attended the meeting, said Türkiye's Communications Directorate.

Expressing his satisfaction over holding the second meeting of the Balkan Peace Platform in Istanbul, Erdoğan thanked representatives of the countries for their contributions.

Erdoğan highlighted the importance of addressing issues such as border security, energy, technology, and transportation, as well as the consultations conducted with a sense of regional ownership.

Noting that both the world and the region have been facing various challenges, Erdoğan said strengthening solidarity and mutual understanding among the countries that are members of the Balkan Peace Platform has gained importance.

He underscored the significance of acting together "with an approach that learns from the pains of the past and aims toward the future," in the Balkans, touching on Türkiye's to mitigate and end the effects of instability in our region, that peace-focused initiatives continue in many places, particularly in Ukraine, Gaza, and Syria.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Communications Director Burhanettin Duran, the president's chief adviser Akif Çağatay Kılıç and other officials were also present in the meeting.