Serbia's Novi Pazar, Türkiye's Bursa to become sister cities

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - Serbia's southwestern Novi Pazar city on Tuesday approved to become a sister city with Türkiye's northwestern Bursa province.

The sister city project was initiated by Bursa Metropolitan Municipality after Mayor Alinur Aktas visited Novi Pazar in April during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Novi Pazar Mayor Nihat Bisevac said at a city council session that a deep-rooted path was followed as a result of friendship and brotherhood relations that would benefit the citizens of the region to realize many projects.

"With the signing of the protocol regarding the sister cities of Novi Pazar and Bursa, we will have strengthened our strong and friendly relations with the Turkish people, with whom we have historical and kinship ties," said Bisevac.

Novi Pazar bears historical importance for Türkiye and Muslims in the region. It was established between 1459-1461 by Ishakoglu Isa Bey, the founder of Bosnia-Herzegovina's capital Sarajevo, and North Macedonia's capital Skopje.

Türkiye opened a consulate general in Novi Pazar in 2021, becoming the first country to inaugurate a consulate there.

Meanwhile, Bosnia-Herzegovina is also preparing to open a diplomatic mission in Novi Pazar.