Turkey calls on Russia to immediately release imprisoned Crimean Tatars
Ankara supports the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, including Crimea and other occupied territories.
Russia must immediately release the imprisoned Crimean Tatars, particularly First Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People Nariman Dzhelyal.
"We want to express our steadfast support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine together with Crimea and other annexed regions," Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Mustafa Şentop said during the First Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform in Zagreb, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
As he noted, Crimea is the homeland of Crimean Tatars who are close to the Turkish people. Therefore, the issue of the peninsula, in addition to security and economic aspects, is important to Ankara because of family ties.
"We will not recognize the annexation of Crimea and will support Ukraine’s integrity and Crimean Tatar on all platforms," Şentop emphasized.
According to him, the UN cannot solve the problem of Russian aggression against Ukraine. Therefore, this is an indicator of the need for reforms in this international organization. The world is not only five members of the UN Security Council, he noted.
During his speech, Şentop drew attention to the imprisonment of the Crimean Tatars, particularly First Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People Nariman Dzhelyal, by Russia.
"This needs a reaction. We hope that these people will be released as soon as possible," he stressed.
According to Şentop, Turkey rejects all Russia’s illegal decisions regarding the recent annexation of four occupied regions of Ukraine.
The Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey emphasized that Ankara hoped that peace in Ukraine would be established come after Ukraine fully restored its territorial integrity.
As he noted, when conditions permit, it will be necessary to proceed to diplomatic negotiations. At the same time, he warned that negotiations do not necessarily mean compromise but the consolidation of achievements on the field through diplomacy.
"We are ready to act as a mediator in this process," Şentop stated.
As reported, the "court" in Crimea, temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation, sentenced First Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People Nariman Dzhelyal and Crimean Tatar activists Asan Akhtemov and Aziz Akhtemov to 17, 15, and 13 years in prison, respectively, and fines.
On October 25, the First Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform is held in Zagreb, Croatia. Delegations from more than 50 countries and international organizations take part in the event.
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