Toscelik remains in Niksic

The Turkish Toscelik will not leave Nikšić's Željezara, but is working with the Ministry of Economic Development on a solution to the problem, said Turkish Ambassador to Montenegro Songul Ozan.

At a breakfast with journalists at the residence of the Turkish Embassy in Podgorica, she said that it is an important investment and they want it to take place.

"They are one of the most important exporters and it is very important that around 280 workers continue to work. Toscelik is one of the most important Turkish companies in steel production and a world brand and their presence is good for Montenegro. We support that investment and want them to stay. Speculations that they want to leave, but there is nothing of the sort," said Ozan.

Tosčelik, as he adds, talks with the Ministry of Economic Development on a daily basis, and there were solutions regarding salaries.

In Željezara, as the Trade Union said earlier, there has been no production since March.

The workers recently strongly opposed the management's intention to reduce their salaries by 30 percent, so after discussions with representatives of the Ministry of Economic Development, it was decided that the reduction would be ten percent.

Ozan reminded that in addition to Toscelik, other large Turkish investors are also present in Montenegro - Net holding, Gintaš, Turkish Airlines, construction companies that are well known in the world...

"In Porto novo, we had about 20 companies working there and about 2000 Turkish workers. Turkish workers are also on the highway," said Ozan.

She announced that 3500 Turkish companies are registered in Montenegro, of which 400 are active.

"The Turks see Montenegro as a peaceful, friendly country," said Ozan.

Also, as she said, new investors from Turkey are interested in investments in Montenegro, especially in the health, tourism, energy, and organic food sectors. She announced that next week a group of investors will visit Montenegro.

"Montenegro is well presented in the media in Turkey as a tourist destination, but also a destination for real estate investments. Many people from Turkey come to the coast and buy real estate, mostly in Budva. Everyone in Turkey loves Montenegro," said Ozan.

She particularly emphasized the activities of the Turkish Agency for International Cooperation and Development (TIKA), which implemented numerous development projects, especially in the north of Montenegro.

She announced that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will soon visit Montenegro and that the date is being determined.

Erdogan's visit was arranged by the President of Montenegro, Milo Đukanović, at the Antalya Diplomatic Forum held last month. The President of the Assembly Aleksa Bečić and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Đorđe Radulović also participated in the Antalya Forum.

In her conversation with the journalists, the ambassador stressed the importance of July 15 - the Day of Democracy and National Unity.

Then, as she reminded, it will be five years since the coup attempt in Turkey.

She reminded that the extremist organization FETO and its leader Fetullah Gulen led a long-term campaign to overthrow the state by infiltrating Turkish institutions, especially the army, police and judiciary.

In the attempted military coup on July 15, 2016, around 250 people lost their lives, and almost 2.200 of them were wounded.

The ambassador also spoke about Turkish-Montenegro relations, which are developing in all areas.