Turkey will never recognize annexation of Crimea – Erdoğan

Turkey's position on non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia remains unchanged, as well as the support for the Crimean Tatar people. As for the situation in eastern Ukraine, it must be resolved by diplomatic and peaceful means.

President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said this at a joint press conference with President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko following the results of the meeting in Istanbul on Saturday, November 3, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

"We had an opportunity to consider regional issues. Please believe that our position is to support the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and political unity of Ukraine. We have once again stressed that we have never recognized and will not recognize the illegal annexation of Crimea and we will continue to protect the rights and interests of the Crimean Tatars - both those who remained in Crimea and those who were forced to leave the region. I want to thank once again for providing support for the Crimean Tatars," the Turkish president stressed.

Erdoğan also expressed hope that the situation in eastern Ukraine would be resolved by diplomatic and peaceful means.

"We want those clashes in eastern Ukraine that are going on now to be completed and resolved in the framework of international law by diplomatic, peaceful means," he added.

As reported, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko is on an official visit to Turkey on November 3-4.

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