The Bosniak member of Bosnia and Herzegovina's tripartite presidency, Bakir Izetbegovic, expressed his admiration for Turkish schools and universities abroad in an exclusive interview with Today's Zaman on Monday.
Izetbegovic noted that Turkish schools abroad are esteemed for the good education they provide. Turkish schools have helped the country progress, said Izetbegovic.
International Burch University was established in Bosnia and Herzegovina's capital Sarajevo in 2008 with the purpose of providing education in English at a modern university, and according to Izetbegovic it has done a great job of fulfilling the mission of Turkish schools. “The university provides a high standard of education. My wish is that such universities will be able to reach more people and become stronger. There are opportunities for these universities to find means to give education to more people," added Izetbegovic.
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| Bakir Izetbegovic speaks to the media during a joint news conference with Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, unseen, in Turkish capital of Ankara on Feb. 15, 2012. (Photo: AP) |
Relations between Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina have been strengthened, both by reciprocal high-level visits and trilateral mechanisms (Bosnia-Serbia-Turkey and Bosnia-Croatia-Turkey) initiated by Turkey. The historical ties between Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina have also helped in developing closer relations. Izetbegovic shared his opinions about the relationships between Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina by underlining the significance of Turkish schools.
“Now, students from Bosnia and Herzegovina go to Turkey and Turkish students come to Bosnia and Herzegovina to receive an education. As we have a common past, we will have a common future,” continued Izetbegovic.
Expressing his satisfaction with Turkey, which helped Bosnia and Herzegovina solve a number of the political problems it was facing, Izetbegovic said: “The success of Bosnia and Herzegovina depends on Turkey, which is a powerful country that is constantly progressing. The achievement of one brother is also the success of the other [brother]. Thus, we are proud of our brother Turkey.”
The Bosniak leader also touched upon the ongoing clashes in Syria. He criticized the world for being late in stopping the bloodshed in the country. “Bosnia and Herzegovina feels Syria's sadness deeply. It is a big shame that the massacres in Syria are continuing. People still have not learned from the suffering in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Izetbegovic.
In July 1995, around 8,000 Muslims, mostly men and boys, captured after Bosnian Serb forces overran a United Nations-protected enclave, were massacred in the country.
Published on Today's Zaman, 25 September 2012, Tuesday
