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The presidents of Ukraine and Turkey, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, made a joint statement. The declaration was signed on October 16 after the meeting of the presidents in Istanbul.
This was reported by the press service of the Presidency.
In a joint statement, Zelenskiy and Erdogan emphasized the need to:
- coordinate joint efforts to ensure the protection of human rights in the occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, as well as to release all illegally imprisoned Ukrainians;
- work to improve the living conditions of Ukrainians, including Crimean Tatars, who were forced to leave the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea and move to mainland Ukraine;
- strengthen regional cooperation of interested countries for sustainable economic development and environmental protection in the Black Sea;
- the early completion of the negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement between Ukraine and Turkey;
- improve cooperation within the framework of the Intergovernmental Commission for Trade and Economic Cooperation.
In addition, the heads of the two states decided to create a new format of the Ukrainian-Turkish dialogue on political and security issues in the format of annual meetings of foreign and defense ministers according to the “two plus two” formula.
At the same time, the parties agreed:
- continue to attach particular importance to the development of comprehensive cooperation between the naval forces of Ukraine and Turkey;
- continue efforts to vacate Crimea, as well as the restoration of Ukrainian control over certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in Ukraine;
- continue cooperation with the aim of increasing Turkish investment in the implementation of infrastructure projects in Ukraine, taking into account the opportunities provided by the “Large Constructions” program in Ukraine;
- work to celebrate the Year of Ukraine in Turkey and the Year of Turkey in Ukraine, which will further deepen cultural and humanitarian cooperation and people-to-people contacts.
Turkey also welcomes Ukraine’s intention to join the observer status in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and also takes note of Ukraine’s interest in cooperating with the Turkish Council.
In addition, Turkey will continue to help Ukraine achieve the criteria for membership of the Alliance, as well as the compatibility of the Armed Forces and NATO, including by conducting appropriate joint military exercises.
Recall that Recep Tayyip Erdogan assured Turkey’s readiness to support the future platform for the evacuation of Crimea.
Furthermore, Ukraine and Turkey are on the finish line regarding the conclusion of an agreement on a free trade area. This agreement may be signed in the near future.
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