Turkish President Abdullah Gul said on Sept. 2 in Sarajevo that his country was "ready to increase current political and economic cooperation" with Bosnia-Herzegovina and underlined that Bosnia had to "quickly and courageously" work on its European integration.

Following a meeting with members of the Bosnian Presidency, Gul said: "The best indicator of the importance Turkey places on mutual economic relations is the composition of the delegation that has come to Sarajevo today [Sept. 2]."

Turkish economic representatives and a delegation of ministers and Turkish parliamentarians traveled to Bosnia with the Turkish president on an official two-day visit.

Gul underscored that everything would be done to ensure that Bosnian and Turkish business people cooperated more with one another.

He underlined that Turkey gave the same amount of attention to all ethnic and religious communities in Bosnia and that the essence of Turkish policy was to "establish peace, security and stability" because of which Turkey had recently realized a series of positive initiatives in the Balkans in order to intensify joint cooperation.

"Nobody can prevent us from cooperating with one another on creating peace, stability and prosperity," said Gul and advised the members of the Bosnian Presidency to "work quickly and courageously" on Bosnia's Euro-Atlantic integration.

Speaking prior to his departure for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkish President Abdullah Gül said Thursday that he hoped his visit would boost economic and commercial relations and bring new life to mutual investments.

There are deep-rooted historical, cultural and humanitarian ties between Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Gül said at a pre-trip press conference at Istanbul’s Atatürk International Airport.

Members of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency visited Turkey in 2008 and “my trip takes place as a reciprocation of the Bosnians’ trip to Turkey,” Gül said. He added that during his visit, he will hold talks with members of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency and other high-level officials.

“I will address the Bosnia and Herzegovina parliament and receive members of the Inter-faith Council. We will discuss relations between our two countries and exchange views on both regional and international matters,” Gül said.

“I will encourage all segments in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a country where painful memories still exist, to act in mutual understanding and cooperation prior to the general elections of Oct. 3,” the Turkish president added.

“Haris Silajdzic of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency and I will attend the Turkey-Bosnia and Herzegovina Business Forum in Sarajevo. Following my talks in Sarajevo, I will proceed to the city of Mostar. I believe my visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina will boost our relations,” Gül said.

Turkish President Gul said there were deep rooted historic, cultural and humanitarian ties between Turkey and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

During President Gul's trip, Director General of the Anadolu Agency (AA) Dr. Hilmi Bengi and Director General of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina News Agency (FENA) Zehrudin Isakovic will sign a cooperation agreement.

President Abdullah Gul will inaugurate the "AA Award Winning Photographs Exhibition" in Sarajevo and participate in a reception to mark the establishment of AA's new office in Sarajevo.

The Turkish president will speak on Sept. 3 with High Representative for Bosnia Valentin Inzko and members of the Inter-Religious Council of Bosnia in Sarajevo before visiting Mostar in the afternoon.