Turkiye, Ukraine mark 30th year of diplomatic ties

By Dilara Hamit

ANKARA (AA) - Turkiye and Ukraine on Thursday marked their 30th year of diplomatic relations with Ukraine.

"Our relations with Ukraine have registered remarkable progress in recent years on the basis of mutual understanding, trust and common interests," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement, adding that relations, which are currently at the level of strategic partnership, "contributes to the peace, stability and prosperity of our region."

The statement also underlined Turkiye's support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty, while reiterating that Ankara does not recognize the "illegal annexation of Crimea" and advocates a peaceful solution in the eastern Donbas region in accordance with international law.

"Joint efforts to protect the rights and interests of our Crimean Tatar kinsmen, who constitute a bridge of friendship and cooperation between Ukraine and our country, further strengthen Turkiye-Ukraine relations," it added.

The statement also noted plans for "mutual steps" to help broaden and deepen "the scope of the bilateral cooperation" between the two sides, including during the 10th meeting of their High-Level Strategic Council set to begin on Thursday in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv with the attendance of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.

"On the 30th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations, we reaffirm our will to further develop our cooperation in all fields for the welfare and well-being of our peoples," it added.

Turkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will be visiting Ukraine on Thursday at the invitation of President Volodymyr Zelensky, to attend the 10th meeting of the High-Level Strategic Council between the two countries.

At the meeting, the two leaders, along with their accompanying delegations, will discuss possibilities for further deepening cooperation and exchange views on regional and international issues, as well as bilateral ties.