Turkey’s Parliament Speaker assures of support for Crimean Tatar people

"The biggest clear message we have declared up to this day and continue to do so is our full support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We do not recognize now and will not recognize in the future the illegal and illegitimate annexation of Crimea. We always see our close friend and strategic partner Ukraine as a modern and prosperous country, whose territorial integrity is ensured," Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Mustafa Şentop said in an interview with Ukrinform on the eve of his official visit to Ukraine.

He also stressed that Turkey would continue to support the efforts of the leadership and people of Ukraine in developing and strengthening the country.

"Turkey has always supported the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, of which Crimea and Donbas are integral components, and its political unity. We seek to strengthen this support in the future. Undoubtedly, the care we provide to the fraternal Crimean Tatar people is part of it," the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey said.

The Turkish politician stressed that Turkey would continue to support the Crimean Tatars.

Şentop added that Turkey had never accepted and would not accept the relocation of Crimean Tatars and the restriction on their rights and freedoms.

As reported, the visit of the Turkish delegation led by Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Mustafa Şentop will take place on March 5-6 at the invitation of Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Dmytro Razumkov. The program of the visit includes meetings with the President, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, representatives of business and the diaspora.

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