Turkey called the position of non-recognition of the illegal occupation of Crimea - fundamental
The head of the Turkish parliamentary committee on foreign affairs, Akif Çağatay Kilić, said that the country has never recognized and will not recognize the illegal occupation of the Ukrainian Crimea, and this is the principled position of the Republic of Turkey. Turkey also continues to work together with Ukraine to release political prisoners.
He announced this during a meeting with Ukrainian parliamentarians who are in Ankara on a working visit, as reported by QIRIM.News.
Kiliç noted that in this context, his country supports the Crimean platform.
"Turkey's position on Crimea and Donbas is clear and open - we support Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Turkey has never recognized and will not recognize the illegal annexation of Crimea - this is a fundamental position. And in this context, we support the Crimean Platform.We support Ukraine's attempts to resolve the Donbas issue peacefully", - the head of Turkey's parliamentary foreign affairs committee stressed.
According to him, Turkey warns Russia to avoid tensions in the Black Sea region. Moreover, he added that the priority for his country is the security of the Black Sea region.
“We are closely watching developments in the region. Security and stability in the Black Sea is a priority for Turkey. We believe that steps that will increase tension in the region should be avoided. The channels of dialogue must be open. In this context, the dialogue that Turkey has with the Russian Federation is important. We warn Russia to avoid steps that could provoke and accelerate tension in the region", - he said.
Kiliç also called for the signing of a Free Trade Agreement between Turkey and Ukraine as soon as possible to increase the level of trade.
He considers cooperation in the field of defence-industrial complex important in this context and stressed that this cooperation is gaining momentum and developing in projects relating to drones and warships.
Turkey continues to work with Ukraine to release political prisoners. The People’s Deputy of Ukraine Rustem Umerov, who is in Ankara on a working visit as part of a delegation of Ukrainian parliamentarians, announced this on Facebook.
Source: facebook.com/rustemumerov.ua
In particular, the deputy told Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Yavuz Selim Kiran and President Erdogan's chief adviser on relations with the Turkish diaspora and related communities, Yalcin Topcu, about political persecution in occupied Crimea, in particular against the Crimean Tatars.
"Turkey is an effective mediator in attempts to release political prisoners from Crimea. We will continue our joint work in this area to return our people home", - Umerov stressed.
He also noted that the Ukrainian delegation thanked Turkish counterparts for their unconditional support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and non-recognition of the occupation of Ukrainian territories.
"Now we will work together with our colleagues to intensify the work of the Crimean Platform at the parliamentary level", - Umerov said.
Read also: Days of Crimean Tatar culture took place in Turkey
"Turkey has the largest diaspora of Crimean Tatars abroad. That is why it is important to keep in touch with our people and help preserve our cultural identity", - the parliamentarian noted.
"During the visit, we also discussed with our colleagues the possibilities of educational and cultural exchange between Ukraine and Turkey and the launch of new projects. We already have joint achievements, but we want to increase them. For example, last year we managed to send 50 children of political prisoners, anti-terrorist operation participants and activists on vacation to Turkey", - he added.
What is known
- Amid media reports about the buildup of 100,000 Russian troops near the border with Ukraine, NATO and many countries have expressed concern. Turkey declares its readiness to contribute to the settlement of tensions between Ukraine and Russia. Turkey stands for peace in the Black Sea region.
- President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky called Turkey one of the key partners and allies who support his efforts.
- Turkey has reaffirmed its refusal to recognize Crimea as Russian territory. Russia is aware of Turkey's position in Crimea. Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for the Russian president, admitted differences between their countries in the position on Crimea.
- On October 17, President Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey did not recognize Russia's occupation of Crimea.
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