"In this context, we consider the visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan very significant, because it gave an additional impetus to the strengthening of bilateral relations between our two countries, which the President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic characterised as the "golden age of Serbian-Turkish relations", a statement I would completely agree with", said Dr Orlic.

He pointed out that the bilateral agreements signed during the Turkish President’s visit to Serbia, represent a very important segment of the improvement of cooperation between our two countries in many areas, especially on the economic level. "Investments, infrastructure and energy are the focus of our mutual interests", said the National Assembly Speaker, adding that Turkey is a very important economic partner to Serbia and that we are interested in intensifying cooperation on this front as well.

Dr Orlic thanked Ambassador Aksoy for the great many factories that have been opened in Serbia, especially in those parts of the country where unemployment has for decades been a rampant problem. "We have managed to change things in this regard, which is extremely important for us," said the National Assembly Speaker. He also emphasised the importance of the "Turkish Stream" gas pipeline project, which both facilitated diversification and provided a stable source of supply for Serbia and the wider region.

Dr Orlic stressed that the interparliamentary cooperation so far has been very good, friendly and continuous. "I expect that the new legislature’s Parliamentary Friendship Group with Turkey will be sizeable and will continue to contribute to the development of our relations", said the National Assembly Speaker.

Ambassador Hami Aksoy expressed satisfaction with the cooperation between the two countries, which has reached the highest level, stressing that relations between Turkey and Serbia are very important for peace and stability in the region. "Serbia is the country with the strongest economy in the Western Balkans and I personally urge to further economic cooperation between our countries", said Ambassador Aksoy, adding that he hopes for further progress in the field of tourism, especially after the agreement that enabled the citizens of Serbia and Turkey to cross the borders of both countries only with an ID card.

Ambassador Aksoy praised the start of works on the section of the Sremska Raca-Bijeljina highway, project mostly financed by the Republic of Serbia. The National Assembly Speaker stressed that infrastructural connection is key for an even stronger economic development and higher investments, as well as cooperation in the region. "In this way, we not only connect our states and cities, but the people whose benefit we work for as well, which is the best pledge for a common future and progress", said Dr Orlic.

Speaking about the current situation in Kosovo-Metohija, the National Assembly Speaker said that the actions taken by the representatives of the local self-government, headed by Albin Kurti, are unreasonable and dangerous, and that Serbia, headed by President Aleksandar Vucic, is making enormous efforts to preserve peace and stability for both itself and its citizens, and others as well.