Turkish president positive on Bosnia-Herzegovina

Turkey is an influential member of the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council, the international body charged with implementing the Dayton Peace Agreement for Bosnia-Herzegovina, Gul told the conference.

"We maintain our efforts to protect Bosnia-Herzegovina's sovereignty, political unity and territorial integrity. Since we attach great importance to a lasting peace in the Balkans, we support the multi-cultural structure in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Therefore, we keep an equal distance with all ethnic groups," he added.

He said Bosnia-Herzegovina signed a partnership agreement with the EU in June of 2008 and added initiated intensified dialogue with NATO following the summit in Bucharest.

"There are quite important developments. He hope that Bosnia-Herzegovina will speed up its reform process and become a member of those international structures. This will help its becoming an influential and sustainable state," Gul also said.

Gul added his talks with his Bosnian guest focused on economic, political, cultural and commercial relations as well as the issues of energy, tourism and transportation.

Silajdzic said an environment of peace, stability and prosperity should be created in the region without wasting any more time.

He said international laws should be introduced to end the killing of civilians, referring to the recent tension between Georgia and Russia.

Silajdzic also called on Turkish businessmen to make more investments in his country, and emphasized the good political and economic relations between Turkey and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Silajdzic later on Wednesday met Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan.

Photo: AA