You're reading: Poroshenko calls on Erdogan to help in liberation of Ukrainian hostages

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan thanked him for his unswerving position in support of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and protection of the rights of the Crimean Tatars, and also called for assistance in the liberation of Ukrainian hostages.

The meeting and negotiations of the presidents took place in the framework of Poroshenko’s working visit to Turkey, the official website of the Ukrainian president said on Tuesday.

“The parties spoke in favor of continuing intensive political dialogue at the highest level, in particular, the organization of a regular meeting within the framework of the Ukrainian-Turkish High-Level Strategic Council, as well as the implementation of the initiative to hold a trilateral summit in the Ukraine-Turkey-Azerbaijan format. Completion of the negotiation process on the conclusion of an agreement on free trade between Ukraine and Turkey was separately noted,” the message reads.

Presidents of the two countries also exchanged views on ways to expand mutually beneficial cooperation in the energy, aviation and defense spheres.