Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has declared that official relations between Ankara and Belgrade are in a “golden age.” Career diplomat Zoran Milivojević views this as a positive development, while Bojan Stanić from the Serbian Chamber of Commerce (PKS) notes that recent agreements are expected to boost Serbian exports to Turkey. Military analyst Vlade Radulović emphasizes the significance of cooperation in the defense industry, highlighting mutual interest in this sector.
Milivojević points out that the declaration of a “golden age” signifies a shift towards strategic relations between Turkey and Serbia. He adds that Erdogan’s relationships with Albania and the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina are also important in this context.
Stanić explains that the economic implications are substantial, as the agreements will facilitate faster growth in Serbian exports, particularly in the automotive sector. He mentions that while a trade deficit remains, new opportunities are emerging in construction and military cooperation, marking Turkey as a key trade partner.
The collaboration in the defense industry is noted as a specific area of interest. Milivojević emphasizes that such cooperation reflects a high level of trust and long-term potential. Radulović agrees, stating that while Turkey is a major player globally, Serbia has valuable offerings in technology transfer and joint ventures.
The military analyst also highlights the possibility of collaboration on Turkish-made unmanned aerial vehicles, indicating a readiness for further defense cooperation.
Milivojević concludes that the strong relations between Erdogan and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić are crucial in fostering these developments. He believes that personal ties between leaders significantly enhance cooperation and are key to the numerous agreements in place.
