A segment from the interview of the Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan to the newspapers NEDELJNI TELEGRAF,
on January 19 2005.
"I support our Embassy in Belgrade in efforts aimed at strengthening economic and cultural ties between Turkey and Serbia.
Our current economic relations do not reflect their true potentials and should be promoted in all fields, including investments, tourism and trade.
Political will exists and should help us to reach that goal.
We want Turkish companies to invest in Serbia and to be included in the ongoing process of privatization.
Besides, business people from both countries need to visit each other, in order to properly assess the potential for cooperation.
On the other hand, we can not define our relations only through the sphere of policy and economy Centures of common history have left a strong mark on our cultures.
These cultural and historical ties are binding us to preserve the common cultural heritage. Cultural monuments in the Balkans are reminders of our past and it is our duty to save them for future generations. "
A segment from the interview of the ambassador of Turkey Hasan Servet Oktem to the newspapers VECERNJE NOVOSTI on 11th November 2005.
"INAT" for friendship
"INAT" is the first Serbian-Turkish friendship association, and it is found last year in Belgrade. How many Turks live in Belgrade?
- A few, not more than a 1000 in Serbia without Kosovo and Metohija, and in Kosovo and Metohija there are arround 30 000 Turks.
We are very satisfied that "INAT" was found.
"INAT" is very active, it organizes courses of Turkish language, helps Turkish businessmen, and makes influence on boosting ties between countries.
We support the activities of "INAT".
I am very satisfied that such an association has been found and I hope that it will have more members year after year.
"INAT" is not an acronym, it has the same meaning in Serbian and Turkish language, i.e. it means stubborness and defiance, and it was chosen in a positive significance