Deputy PM praises Turkish-Kosovar relations

BELGRADE, Serbia

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus has promised a "warmer, more vivid and much more permanent" relation between Kosovo and Turkey.

Kurtulmus was on an official visit to Kosovo's capital Pristina to participate in the April 23 Kosovo Turks National Day reception.

During the second day of the visit, Kurtulmus participated the opening ceremony of a mosque that was renovated by TIKA (Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency) in Janjevo in southeastern Kosovo.

It was a long separation, almost a century long," said Kurtulmus in a speech. "Now our reunion will be much warmer, more vivid and much more permanent."

"What is remaining from our history, from the traces of our ancestors, we will repair it with the permission of Allah," he added. "Whatever the Muslim community and the other communities demand, we as Turkey will provide them. We will repair bridges, baths and mosques. Whatever you demand from us, we are as Turkey here to provide it."

The ceremony was also attended by the Kosovo Public Administration Minister Mahir Yagcilar, Environment and Urban Planning Minister Ferid Agani.

Kurtulmus will attend the April 23 Kosovo Turks National Day reception.