Minister Košarac and Ambassador Koc Talked on Meat Exports to Turkey

The Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH, Staša Košarac, received today in Sarajevo the Ambassador of Turkey to BiH, Haldun Koc, with whom he discussed cooperation in the field of trade, meat exports from BiH to Turkey and other current issues. The interlocutors expressed satisfaction with the good bilateral relations between BiH and Turkey and stressed their readiness to improve cooperation in the field of trade.

Speaking about the continuation of beef exports from BiH to Turkey, Minister Košarac informed Ambassador Koc about the agreed position with the relevant entities’ ministers on the need for equal treatment of companies from Republika Srpska and Federation of BiH, that are certified by the relevant inspection bodies of BiH and Turkey. Minister Košarac emphasized that the current practice of unilateral positioning of companies from the Federation of BiH is unacceptable and that companies from Republika Srpska must be included in the process of meat exports to Turkey, given that there is capacity and need for this due to surplus primary production. He pointed out that companies from all over BiH, which are certified to export meat to Turkey, must buy local production.

"We are aware of the fact that due to the reduced domestic consumption of meat exports, the accumulation of domestic production has increased. That is why I asked Ambassador Koc to increase the open quota of 3,000 tons by a minimum of an additional 2,000 tons for 2020, which would make the open quota 5,000 tons. This would ensure greater trade, as well as the purchase of local production" said Minister Košarac.

Minister Košarac and Ambassador Koc agreed that, after the resumption of scheduled flights between BiH and Turkey, the BiH Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations will host a working meeting of representatives of the Turkish Embassy in BiH, relevant entities’ ministries and representatives of certified meat export companies from BiH to Turkey, in order to reach a final agreement and advance this process.

At today's meeting it was also discussed about the organization of a bilateral trade committee between BiH and Turkey. In this regard, it was tentatively agreed that the meeting will be held in mid-July in Turkey, and it was pointed out that it will be an opportunity to discuss possible open issues in the field of trade between the two countries.

When it comes to the organization of the trilateral committee BiH - Serbia - Turkey, the interlocutors stated that it will be extended until the elections in Serbia are completed.