Environmental crisis requires int'l cooperation: Turkish first lady

By Zafer Fatih Beyaz

ANKARA (AA) - Recent environmental crises across the globe is worrying and requires cooperation, Turkey's first lady said on Wednesday.

"Protecting our water and soil is our responsibility to future generations," Emine Erdogan said in a video message to the Kyiv Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen in Ukraine's capital.

On the global coronavirus outbreak, Erdogan said Turkey never neglected international cooperation and solidarity in the fight against the disease and has taken part in joint cooperation.

The foreign aid provided by Turkey in this field is a reflection of its humanitarian foreign policy, she noted.

Erdogan expressed hope that the international Crimean Platform Summit will make meaningful contributions to improving of the condition of Crimean Tatars.

At the summit, participants discussed how first ladies and gentlemen could help find solutions to recent problems facing the world.

The Crimean Platform is a new consultative and coordination format initiated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for the speedy de-occupation of Crimea, as well as increasing pressure on Russia.

Russia and Ukraine have been at loggerheads since 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea after a controversial referendum.

Turkey as well as the UN General Assembly viewed the annexation as illegal.

Ukraine has also blamed Russia for separatist violence in eastern Ukraine near the border with Russia.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz