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Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that protecting Crimean Tatars' rights and preserving their cultural identity have always been a top priority for Türkiye. Describing his visit to Ukraine as productive, Fidan added that he was honored to receive a medal from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Fidan met Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Thursday, according to Turkish diplomatic sources.
He visited Ukraine for talks focused on strengthening bilateral ties, advancing efforts toward lasting peace and enhancing regional security.
In a post on X after the visit, Fidan said Türkiye and Ukraine were strengthening their strategic partnership.
"At a time when the strategic partnership between our countries is growing stronger with each passing day, we paid an extremely productive visit to Ukraine," he said.
Fidan thanked Ukrainian officials, particularly Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, for their hospitality.
He said his meetings with Zelenskyy, Head of the Presidential Office Kyrylo Budanov and Sybiha covered bilateral relations and the latest situation in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Fidan said Türkiye was pleased that cooperation between the two countries had deepened further despite wartime conditions.
Fidan welcomed the Ukrainian Parliament's approval of the Türkiye-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement shortly before his visit.
"The Free Trade Agreement, approved by the Ukrainian Parliament shortly before our visit, is an important milestone that will create new opportunities for our businesspeople and take our economic partnership to a much higher level," he said.
Fidan said Türkiye once again emphasized its support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
"As Türkiye, we are ready to support any initiative that will bring the parties back to the negotiating table and contribute to lasting peace," he said.
Fidan said he also met in Kyiv with Mustafa Dzhemilev, the national leader of the Crimean Tatars, and Refat Chubarov, chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People.
He said they assessed the situation of Crimean Tatars.
Protecting their rights and preserving their cultural identity have always been among Türkiye's priorities, Fidan said.
Fidan said he was honored to receive a medal presented by Zelenskyy during the visit.
"On the occasion of the visit, I was honored to receive the medal presented by President Zelenskyy. I thank the Ukrainian authorities," he said.
Fidan added that Türkiye would continue to strengthen its deep-rooted friendship and strategic partnership with Ukraine, in line with the vision set out by the two countries' leaders and on the basis of mutual trust and common interests.
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