Erdoğan to Vucic: Türkiye never neglects Balkans amid global turmoil

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan received Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić in Ankara on Thursday for the fourth High-Level Cooperation Council meeting, underscoring Türkiye's enduring engagement with the Balkans at a time of heightened global uncertainty. Speaking at a joint press conference, Erdoğan emphasized that Ankara neither ignores nor withdraws from the region, positioning Türkiye as a key actor in preserving peace and fostering economic development.

Trade and investment surge

Erdoğan announced that bilateral trade volume between Türkiye and Serbia reached $3.5 billion in 2025, marking steady progress toward the jointly determined $5 billion target. He identified expanding commercial and investment ties as the primary engine of bilateral relations. The president also confirmed Türkiye's participation in EXPO 2027, to be hosted in Belgrade, expressing confidence that the event will further deepen economic, commercial and cultural cooperation.

Turkish presence on the ground

The president highlighted the remarkable growth of Turkish investments in Serbia, noting that the number of Turkish-capital companies operating in the country has surged from approximately 100 in 2015 to over 1,500 today, with total investment volume reaching $300 million. Turkish contractors have undertaken more than 100 infrastructure projects, contributing to housing, road construction and broader development. Erdoğan extended a welcome to Serbian investors seeking opportunities in Türkiye and called for increased reciprocal investment flows.

People-to-people ties and cultural exchange

Tourism figures reflect deepening societal bonds: Türkiye ranks as the second most popular destination for Serbian travelers, while Turkish citizens constitute the largest group of visitors to Serbia. Erdoğan noted growing demand for Turkish language instruction, with Yunus Emre Institute and Türkiye Maarif Foundation responding to heightened interest. Discussions also addressed development initiatives in the Sandzak region, which the president described as a "bridge of friendship" between the two nations. Erdoğan extended Ramadan greetings to Serbia's Muslim community and thanked Vučić for supporting the Balkan Peace Platform, whose second meeting was hosted in Istanbul in January. The Serbian leader was also invited for dinner at the presidential complex following the talks.