You're reading: Ambassador assures Turkey’s position on Crimea remains unchanged

Turkey is interested in a strong, independent, democratic and integrated into Europe Ukraine, Turkish Ambassador to Ukraine Yonet Can Tezel has said.

“Turkish-Ukrainian relations have political, geopolitical, economic and cultural bonds. Though Ukrainian relations with Russia have a little impact, but we have our own way and we follow it and it will not change in regards of political principle. Ukraine is a strategic ally of Turkey, our neighbor and our interests for Ukraine to be a strong, independent and implement reforms. We see Ukraine as democratic, integrated in Europe, which includes the territorial integrity of Crimea, which sovereignty isn’t disturbed,” the ambassador said at a press conference in Kyiv on July 29.

The ambassador also said that from the very beginning of the crisis in Turkish relations with Russia, Turkish position over Crimea was unchanged.

“I have my blood boiling when I hear about the issue of the Crimean Tatars, who are our brothers and now the leaders of the Crimean Tatar people can not live on their territory … In our relations with Russia, we do not take well to the Crimean issue,” the ambassador said.