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Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Ukraine and Turkey to enhance strategic partnership for security in the Black Sea region - aftermath of the Presidents' meeting



President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko called the decision to enhance #strategic_partnership between Ukraine and Turkey in the sphere of security and defense the key achievement of the fifth session of the High Level Strategic Council between #Ukraine and #Turkey.

At the press conference following the session, the President of Ukraine noted that the session had been held in a traditional atmosphere of friendship and mutual understanding and brought significant results.
"We have discussed the whole range of bilateral issues. Special attention has been paid to the issues of security, defense, modern national security challenges of Ukraine and Turkey, as well as challenges in the international security arising, inter alia, from the aggressive policy of Russia," the Head of State informed.

The President underlined the importance of strengthening cooperation, coordination and development of contractual framework for security and defense in conditions of Russian aggression, Moscow's ambitions to impose its scenario in Ukraine, Syria, "force to make peace" on its own terms, which, as stated by Petro Poroshenko, can bring anything except for peace.

According to the President, the Heads of State have reaffirmed that a strategic partnership is not mottos, but concrete practical projects. "Projects that reflect high level of confidence between our states and help enhance our mutually beneficial cooperation," Petro Poroshenko said.

"I would like to emphasize that Ukraine and Turkey are willing to unite efforts being guided by the word "for" not "against". We unite our efforts to return stability to the region. To restore respect for international law. To prevent further human rights violations in Crimea, Donbas, Syria. More than ever we feel our unity and determination," the Head of State stressed.

Answering the questions, the President emphasized that military-technical and defensive cooperation of Ukraine and Turkey was aimed not against someone, but for the defense of native land.

In his turn, the President of Turkey emphasized that Ukrainian-Turkish relations were at the highest level and had a crucial importance for the Black Sea region's security.

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan noted that Turkey would always support territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and had never recognized the illegal annexation of Crimea.

The President of Turkey said that his country fully supported the reforms of Ukraine implemented by Petro Poroshenko. According to him, "political stability in Ukraine is a guarantee of security and stability in the Black Sea region" and Turkey will do everything possible to support this process. President Erdoğan informed that his country would fulfill its promise to allocate USD 10 million for humanitarian needs of Ukraine and urged the international community to increase support for Ukraine.

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan added that "problems in the east of Ukraine should be resolved diplomatically" and expressed full support for the Minsk process. According to him, the first steps should provide for a complete ceasefire, withdrawal of Russian troops and heavy weaponry, restoration of Ukrainian control over the border.

The Head of State thanked the President of Turkey for a warm welcome and excellent organization of negotiations. He also called him a great friend of Ukraine. Petro Poroshenko noted Turkey's strong and consistent support for sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine that were grossly violated by Russia. "It is very important for Ukraine and its people to feel sincere and effective support of true friends and partners," he said.

Following the fifth session of the High Level Strategic Council between Ukraine and the Republic of Turkey, several documents have been signed.

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