Prime Minister of Turkey Sees Ukraine Integral and Independent and Opposes Intrusion of Foreign Forces into Internal Affairs of Ukraine

16 March 2014

During the meeting that lasted around an hour the parties discussed the proposals with regards to the solution of Crimean crisis, based on the peaceful settlement of the existing situation. The Head of the Turkish Government Mr Erdogan reminded that Turkey’s position with regards to the solution of the crisis in Crimea using the peaceful methods and on the basis of territorial integrity of Ukraine remains firm and unchangeable. According to Mr Jemilev, the Prime Minister of Turkey underscored that Turkey sees Ukraine as an integral and independent state and opposes any intrusion of foreign forces into the internal affairs of Ukraine. In addition, Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that he was not going to recognize the referendum, held in Crimea on March 16, 2014, as violating the international norms. The Head of the Turkish Government expressed his concern about the continuing crisis and expressed his readiness to provide the utmost support in case the Crimean Tatar people will suffer any pressure. During the meeting the parties also discussed the issues of the financial cooperation between Crimean Tatar entrepreneurs and Turkish business circles.