Sarajevo: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday marked the 22nd anniversary of the passing of Alija Izetbegovic, Bosnia and Herzegovina's first president, who led the country to independence from the former Yugoslavia.

According to Anadolu Agency, Erdogan expressed his respect and admiration for Izetbegovic, highlighting his leadership qualities and his role in defending the rights and laws of his nation. On the Turkish social media platform NSosyal, Erdogan stated, "I commemorate with mercy and longing the wise leader Alija Izetbegovic, the first president of our friend and brother Bosnia-Herzegovina, who won hearts with his nobility, character, and exemplary stance; who defended his nation's rights and laws with great courage; on the 22nd anniversary of his passing."

Izetbegovic, who was a politician, writer, and lawyer, gained international prominence during the country's bitter 1992-1995 war. He is remembered annually on the anniversary of his passing. Known as the "Wise King," Izetbegovic is regarded as one of the most significant Muslim thinkers of the last century.

As the first president of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Izetbegovic managed to secure independence for his country on March 1, 1992, following Slovenia and Croatia's independence from the former Yugoslavia. He passed away in Sarajevo on Oct. 19, 2003, from natural causes, after serving as the president of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1992 to 1996, and as chairman of the Bosnian presidency until October 2000.