On 2 March 2001, H.E.Mr.Ismail Cem, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, paid an official visit to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, upon the invitation of H.E. Mr. Goran Svilanoviç, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

During his visit, H.E.Mr. Ismail Cem, was received by H.E.Mr.Vojislav Kostunica, President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and H.E. Mr. Zoran Djindjiç, Prime Minister of Serbia. On the occasion of the visit, H.E.Mr. Cem also met with H.E.Mr. Rasim Ljajiç, Federal Minister.

H.E. Mr. Cem's visit to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia gave the two Sides an opportunity to exchange views on bilateral and regional issues. H.E. Mr. Cem and H.E. Mr.Svilanoviç underlined their determination to develop bilateral relations in all possible fields between their respective countries. They expressed that development of bilateral relations and cooperation would be to the mutual benefit of their countries and nations as well as the entire region.

In reviewing the regional developments, the two Ministers considered that mutual recognition and full normalization of relations among all the countries in the region on the basis of the respect of the OSCE principles, sovereign equality and good neighborliness policy is of vital importance for stability and prosperity in the Balkans.

The two Ministers, by taking into consideration the use of reviewing and exchanging views on bilateral affairs regional and international issues of common interests for the two countries, decided to institutionalize the regular political consultations mechanism between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two conutries. To this end, they signed the "Protocol on Consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia".

The two Ministers agreed that special attention and importance should be given to enhance commercial and economic relations. They noted that bilateral trade volume, which is well beyond the real potential of both countries, should be promoted through governmental and non-governmental ways and means. In this context, they touched upon the necessity of holding the 9th Session of the Joint Economic Commission and convening the Joint Road Transport Commission as soon as possible, and the use of setting up of a Joint Business Council. The two Ministers have also decided to encourage the establishment of Turco-Yugoslav joint ventures in construction sector.

The two Ministers signed the "Agreement on the Reciprocal Encouragement and Protection of Investments", which has previously been initialed. The two Sides also agreed on concluding bilateral agreements on "Avoidance of Double Taxation", "Cooperation in Fighting Terrorism and Organized Crime", "Transfer of Sentenced Persons", "Cultural Relations" with a "Cultural Exchange Programme", "Scientific and Technological Cooperation", "Social Security" and, "Customs Cooperation". Moreover, the two Ministers considered the revitalization of the 1967 "Visa Exemption Agreement."

H.E. Mr. Ismail Cem thanked for the warm hospitality accorded to him and his delegation during his visit and invited H.E. Mr.

Goran Svilanoviç to visit Turkey. H.E. Mr.Svilanoviç accepted this invitation. The dates of this visit will be fixed through diplomatic channels."