Turkish parliament speaker arrives in Bosnia for 2-day visit

By Ahmet Nurduhan and Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - Turkiye’s parliament speaker arrived in Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday for a two-day official visit.

Mustafa Sentop began his visit by attending a Muslim fast-breaking dinner for Ramadan at the Islamic Cultural Center in the city of Livno in western Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Sentop distributed gifts to children at the cultural center and ignited the fast-breaking cannon.

The iftar program started with the children's chanting.

Sentop said that Turks and Bosniaks share many common values.

“Dear brothers, wherever we are in the world, there are very important values ​​that unite us. Undoubtedly, we have many common values ​​that bind us together, including our faith, history and Ramadan. In such a blessed month, we wanted to come together at a blessed table and have our iftar together,'' he said.

Sentop emphasized that the Republic of Turkiye attaches great importance to the peace and stability of the Balkans.

“We are in a geography that has experienced very difficult times and suffered greatly. Your elders, fathers, uncles went through difficult times. Thank God now the Balkans are in a peaceful environment. As Turkiye, we attach great importance to the peace and stability of the entire Balkans, especially Bosnia and Herzegovina,'' said Sentop.

Dzevad Hadzic, chairman of the Assembly of Islamic Union in Livno, said Turkiye is of great importance for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Sentop on Tuesday in the capital Sarajevo will meet with members of the Collegium of the House of Representatives and the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

He will be received by members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

He will also attend a joint iftar in Travnik on Wednesday and then travel to North Macedonia.