Ankara is strengthening dialogue with the Balkan countries.

The President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, received the deputy prime ministers and foreign ministers of Montenegro, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Albania, and Serbia in Istanbul. 
During the meeting, bilateral relations between Turkey and the Balkan countries, as well as regional issues, were discussed. 
Erdoğan expressed satisfaction with the holding of the second meeting of the Balkan Peace Platform in Istanbul and thanked the representatives of the countries for their contribution to the work of the format. 
The President noted that discussions on topics such as border security, energy, technology, and transportation, as well as consultations based on the principle of regional responsibility, are of great importance. 
He emphasized that the world and the region face serious challenges, and in these conditions, the development of solidarity and mutual understanding among the Balkan countries is of special significance. 
Erdoğan stated that Turkey is making efforts to reduce and eliminate the consequences of instability in the region and continues peace-oriented activities, including regarding Ukraine, Gaza, and Syria. 
Speaking about the Balkans, the President highlighted the need to learn lessons from the tragic past and to build a policy aimed at the future and sustainable development of the region. 
The meeting was also attended by Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, the head of the Communications Directorate of the Presidential Administration Burhanettin Duran, the chief foreign policy and security advisor to the President Akif Çagatay Kılıç, and presidential advisor Sabri Demir.