Balkans' peace 'extremely important' for Turkey

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) - Balkans' peace, stability and welfare are "extremely important" for Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday, ahead of his visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"Balkans' peace, stability, tranquility and welfare are extremely important for us. Our country does have the luxury to monitor developments in this geography," Erdogan told reporters at Istanbul Airport.

Erdogan will attend the two-day South East European Countries Cooperation Process (SEECP) Summit in the capital Sarajevo.

"Turkey, within the framework of the importance it attaches to the peace, stability and welfare in the Balkans, has effectively contributed to the SEECP, the only regional cooperation platform that encompasses all the countries in the Balkans, since its foundation," according to a presidential statement.

During his visit, Erdogan will also hold bilateral meetings with members of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidential Council and with other participating leaders.