In 28 years of diplomatic relations, Ukraine and Turkey have covered the path from ordinary relations of neighboring countries to mutually beneficial strategic partnership, as stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy following the 8th meeting of the High Level Strategic Council between Ukraine and the Republic of Turkey.
“Today we had meaningful and constructive talks. Ukraine and Turkey will continue to build political partnership, interact within international organizations, cooperate on security issues,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The President said that during a meeting, the delegations had talked about the war in Donbas, the annexation of the Crimean peninsula, and human rights violations in Crimea.
“In this regard, Turkey’s consistent support and practical steps taken by Ankara are extremely important to us. Ukraine counts on Turkey’s assistance in the process of releasing political prisoners – citizens of Ukraine, including Crimean Tatars, illegally detained in Crimea and the Russian Federation,” he said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that today’s meeting with President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was already the second meeting in six months. The Head of State emphasized that the talks had been held in the most sincere and friendly atmosphere.
“I believe that the agreements reached today will be a benchmark for the further development of relations between our countries,” he said.
For his part, the President of Turkey confirmed that the negotiations had been fruitful and called the meeting of the High Level Strategic Council an effective mechanism for cooperation between Ukraine and Turkey.
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also commended the reform process in Ukraine.
“We share the vision of a modern Ukraine,” he said.
The President of the Republic of Turkey expressed content with his visit to Ukraine and thanked the Ukrainian party for hospitality.
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan emphasized that Turkey did not support the illegal annexation of Crimea.
“We fully support and will support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, including Crimea. We hope that all conflicts will be resolved peacefully under international law. We will also be ready to do everything possible to ensure peace and prosperity in our region, in particular in Ukraine,” the President of Turkey said, noting that the OSCE SMM played an important role in that matter.
