Kosovo welcomes Turkey mediation over Serbia ties

Erdogan has said Turkey was ready assume a mediator role between Kosovo and Serbia if the two countries requested it.

Wednesday, 03 November 2010

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said Turkey was ready assume a mediator role between Kosovo and Serbia if the two countries requested it.

"We are ready for mediation between Kosovo and Serbia if receive such an invitation. Because we want setting in this region based on peace, which is all we need," Erdogan told reporters in a joint press appearance with his Kosovo counterpart, Hashim Thaci, in Pristina.

Erdogan said that Turkey's relations with Serbia had recently seen a significant progress, and that the Serbian leadership had signaled an expectation for a Turkish mediation, coupled with a similar position from the Kosovar side as well.

"Turkey is ready to assume whatever role it is requested of to contribute to the peace process in the Balkans," Erdogan said.

Erdogan said Turkey was among the countries first to recognize Kosovo's independence, adding that Muslim countries seemed hesitant for recognition.

"Turkey is a member of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and Turkey's recognition of Kosovo's independence is a signal for other members of the organization. And the ruling by the European Court of Human Rights will pave the way for more positive developments," Erdogan said.

"Welcomed"

Kosovo PM welcomed any of Turkey's efforts.

Anadolu news agency quoted Thaci as saying Turkey would make great contributions to dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.

Thaci said that they would be glad if Turkey would mediate in this process between Belgrade and Pristina.

Stating that Turkey and Kosovo had sound friendly ties and cooperation, he said that cultural and religious ties would be boosted more in the future.

Thaci said that they attached a great importance to services by Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA) in his country and Turkish investors also contributed to economic development of Kosovo. Pristina International Airport would be operated by Limak as of January 1, 2011 and Turkish companies attended privatization tender of Post and Telecom of Kosovo, he said.

Source: World Bulletin.
Link: http://www.worldbulletin.net/news_detail.php?id=65925.