Ibrahimović with Bosniaks in Turkey: "Most left Montenegro under some kind of pressure, things are different today"

The president of the Bosniak Party, Ervin Ibrahimović, said that there is a lack of greater presence of Bosniaks from Turkey, who have developed businesses and serious investment potential, in investments in Montenegro, especially in the north, i.e. in Sandžak, and that this is something that needs to be worked on more in the coming period, the party announced.

They said that Ibrahimović, during his official visit to Turkey, had a successful visit to the "Turkish Bosnia Sandžak" association in Istanbul and on that occasion spoke with the "numerous Bosniak diaspora" in Turkey, which is gathered in that association.

Sandžak is a historical and geographical region located in southwestern Serbia and northern Montenegro, and was once an administrative unit of the Ottoman Empire.

"During his speech, President Ibrahimović greeted those present and thanked them for nurturing ties with their homeland, their culture and tradition through this association and for leading the association in a way that brings together people of all ages, especially young people, which is a guarantee that the descendants of our emigrants in the second, third and every subsequent generation will know who they are and where they are from. He also said that their love for Montenegro is particularly inspiring due to the fact that they, for the most part, left Montenegro under some kind of pressure, with a one-way ticket, and pointed out that things are different today and that there are seven more ministers from the Bosniak people in the Government of Montenegro," the statement reads.

He also referred to "the fact that our emigrants" in Turkey are "very successful in all spheres of social life" and particularly praised the fact that Bosniaks are fully integrated into Turkish society, that they "love Turkey and Montenegro equally", and reiterated that they are the best ambassadors of Montenegro in Turkey and Turkey in Montenegro.

"President Ibrahimović said that, despite the exceptional relations between the two countries and the fact that economic relations are on the rise, there is a lack of greater presence of Bosniaks from Turkey, who have very developed businesses and serious investment potential, in investments in Montenegro, especially in the north, i.e. in Sandžak, and that this is something that needs to be worked on more in the coming period," the statement reads.

Stronger connections between the diaspora and the homeland, strengthening cultural, political and economic ties, and presenting investment opportunities in Montenegro to interested Bosniaks in Turkey will be the focus in the coming period, said Ibrahimović and "thanked those present for their presence, interest and warm welcome, emphasizing that he feels good and safe here, among his own people," according to BS.

"The meeting with the members of the association continued after the formal part, during which President Ibrahimović answered many questions and explained the political, economic, business and other circumstances in Montenegro. The meeting was attended by a large number of emigrants from all spheres of social life," the statement reads.