Turkey is ready to act as a mediator in the crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina and will do everything it can to ensure stability. This was announced by Defense Minister Hulusi Akar amid fears of separatist actions by Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik, Reuters reports.
As part of a program of his visit to Sarajevo this week, Akar met with his Bosnian counterpart, a Bosnian member of the BiH Presidium and other officials, according to a statement from the Ankara Ministry of Defense.
"We see BiH as a whole. "We have done everything possible for its unity and stability and we will continue to do so," Akar told CNN Turk.
"If desired, Turkey can work as a mediator in BiH," the minister added, without elaborating on further details of the proposal.
Earlier this month, Banja Luka voted to begin withdrawing their autonomous Republika Srpska from the armed forces, the tax system and the BiH judiciary.
Turkey has said the vote by Serbian lawmakers is "wrong, dangerous" and could threaten regional stability. Germany has called on the European Union to sanction Dodik.
Mostly Muslim Turkey has strong ties to BiH. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has often praised wartime BiH leader Alija Izetbegovic as he has formed friendly relations with the country's tripartite interethnic presidency.
No comments:
Post a Comment