"We stand with Serbia in this difficult time": Plane with medical aid from Turkey lands in Belgrade

Around 10:30 am on Wednesday, a plane carrying medical aid to Serbia from Turkey landed at Belgrade's Nikola Tesla Airport.

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The donation from Turkey contains various medical devices, including 100,000 protective masks, 2,000 protective suits, and 1,500 Covid1-9 testing kits.

The plane that flew in the aid was welcomed at the airport by Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin and Turkey's Ambassador to Serbia Tanju Bilgic.

"Turkey stands with Serbia in these difficult times"

Turkey wants to show that it is standing with Serbia in these difficult times that it is going through, said the ambassador of Turkey to our country, Tanju Bilgic.

"I wish to the citizens of the friendly country of Serbia to come out of this disaster with the least possible damage," Bilgic told reporters at the Nikola Tesla airport.

The ambassador also expressed his condolences over all those citizens who have lost their lives as a result of coronavirus.

Tanju Biglic; Photo: Tanjug/Zoran Zestic

"We are going through a difficult period. In Turkey, there is a saying that you can tell who your friends are in the dark days. This assistance may not solve all the problems, but Turkey wants to show that it stands with Serbia in the difficult times that it is going through," Bilgic said.

"I want us to return to the days of peace and prosperity very soon. Stay healthy," Bilgic said.

"Serbia will remember who helped her"

Serbian Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin expressed his gratitude, on behalf of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for this generous assistance, which he said arrived just in time.

"Not only are these moments when one can tell who one's friends are, and those countries that perceive Serbia as a friend, but this will also be recognized in the future," said Vulin.

Aleksandar Vulin; Photo: Tanjug/Zoran Zestic

According to him, in such times, policies for the future are being formed.

"Serbia will know how to remember who helped her, and to direct its future policy in accordance with these facts," the minister said.

When it was hardest for us, when we needed help and people were dying, not every country got in touch with us, the minister said - so those who have will have our gratitude and a reason to believe that Serbia will be their friend.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)