UPDATE - 'Turkey fighting Mideast terror aids Balkans, Europe'

UPDATES WITH MORE QUOTES OF TURKISH PM YILDIRIM AND REMARKS TOP BOSNIAN OFFICIAL DENIS ZVIZDIC

By Talha Ozturk

SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina (AA) - Turkey's counter-terrorist efforts in the Middle East benefit not just itself, but the welfare and security of Europe and southeastern Europe as well, said Turkey’s prime minister on Thursday.

"Turkey's fight against terrorism in the Middle East, in Syria and in Iraq not only secures our own citizen, it also prevents an influx of refugees into the Balkans and in Europe as well as terrorist activities," Yildirim told a joint press conference with Denis Zvizdic, chairman of the Council of Ministers in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“In this respect, we want our European friends to be much more involved in this struggle of our country. This visit is undoubtedly an important opportunity for further developing our relations with friendly Bosnia and Herzegovina.”

Yildirim added that Turkey's banner economic growth of 7.4 percent in 2017 was no shock.

"No surprise for us. We already have projects for sustainable growth in 2018. This is the highest growth rate in worldwide, including 20 advanced countries.”

He added: “Turkey already has for a sustainable, stable and medium-term plan for 2018. Growth and employment will continue."

On the situation in the Balkans, Yildirim said: "Stability and confidence in the Balkans, in fact, means security in Europe, security in the Middle East. From that point of view, we know that there’s a great responsibility for peace in all the countries of the region to preserve stability. In this context, we’re striving to develop friendly relations with all other countries, especially Bosnia and Herzegovina," said Yildirim.

- Economic ties

Zivizdic also touted Bosnia-Herzegovina’s strong economic ties with Turkey.

"We’re certainly continuing our economic cooperation in terms of significantly attracting new Turkish investments. Turkey has always been among Bosnia and Herzegovina’s top 10 trade partners and among its 10 biggest investors.

“The bilateral trade volume over the past year was 1.2 billion convertible marks [$737 million] with a growth trend, and we have the potential to raise it to 2 billion convertible marks [$1.23 billion] by the end of 2019. With a special focus on agricultural products," said Zvizdic.

After arriving in Sarajevo on Thursday morning for a two-day official visit, Yildirim first met with Zvizdic.

A meeting with the members of the three-member Bosnian Presidency is to follow.

At the end of the first day, Yildirim will gather with students and scholars from the International University of Sarajevo.

Yildirim is expected to give a speech at the university.

The second day of his visit will start with a meeting with Husein Kavazovic, the top mufti in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Yildirim will also meet with Bosnian journalists and pay a visit to the gravesite of Bosnia's first president, Alija Izetbegovic, who led the country to independence.

After visiting the Srebrenica Commemoration Museum and Sarajevo War Tunnel, Yildirim will leave for Ankara.

Yildirim is traveling with a delegation that includes Deputy Prime Minister Recep Akdag, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci, and Transportation, Maritime and Communications Minister Ahmet Arslan.