Consular post headed by Honorary Consul of the Republic of Serbia Fikret Ozturk was established in Antalya, today, 19 August 2018, in the presence of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Turkey, Ivica Dacic and Mevlut Çavuşoglu.
The event was attended by many officials of the Antalya Province, including the Governor and Mayor of Antalya and prominent businessmen from this part of Turkey. The consular post, located at seven-star Regnum Hotel, in Belek (Kadriye Bolgesi, Uçkum tepesi, Mevkii, 07500 Serik, Belek), in the immediate vicinity of Antalya Airport, was established to provide assistance and consular protection to nationals of Serbia visiting/staying in the Antalya region.
The occasion offered an opportunity for talks between the two Ministers, who discussed bilateral cooperation and regional issues, in a bilateral meeting. Both sides assessed that the relations between the two countries were at a high level, encouraged by the personal relationship between the two Presidents, and affirmed by very frequent visits exchanged at the highest level. It was reiterated that, as a result, economic cooperation soared, trade reaching an annual total of 1 billion US dollars, targeting 3 billion within the shortest period of time. The number of tourists travelling between the two countries is on a continuous rise, currently totalling 100,000 Turkish tourists in Serbia and 140,000 Serbian tourists in Turkey respectively, reflecting the deepening of relations and growth of bilateral cooperation and mutual understanding.
It was assessed that there was a high level of convergence of views between Serbia and Turkey on a number of international issues, and that it was necessary to continue to work together in order to improve the position of both counties on the international scene.
Areas where further cooperation will be deepened include the fight against terrorism, establishment of cultural centres and cooperation on investments, among others.
It was mutually confirmed that efforts were being made to build such relations, and that friendship between Serbia and Tukey was a joint investment in their future generations.
Minster Dacic reiterated that, as a reliable and true friend of Turkey, Serbia stood open to all types of cooperation.