Turkey to support Bosnia and Herzegovina in fight against terrorism, foreign minister says

SARAJEVO – Anadolu Agency

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Turkey will always support Bosnia and its people in the fight against terrorism, said Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on April 30.

“Turkey will always support Bosnia and Herzegovina and the people of Bosnia in the fight against terrorism, just like we support it in other fields,” Çavuşoğlu said, while addressing a joint press conference with his Bosnian counterpart, Igor Crnadak, in the Bosnia and Herzegovina capital of Sarajevo. 

Speaking on the recent attack against a police station in eastern Bosnia, the Turkish foreign minister offered condolences to the family of the slain police officer and the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“We agreed that unfortunately both countries faced similar problems and together we are ready to fight against all forms of terrorism,” Crnadak said.

A gunman had shot and killed a police officer and wounded two other officers on the evening of April 27 at a police station in Zvornik, a town in the Republika Srpska, one of the two entities that make up Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

The gunman was also killed in the incident.

Çavuşoğlu also said he had a productive meeting with his Bosnian counterpart, during which both sides discussed enhancing bilateral ties further.

“The relationship between our two countries is perfect,” he said.

He added Turkey was one of the largest investors in Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to the Turkish Foreign Ministry’s website, trade between Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina exceeded $363 million in 2012.