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A Turkish parliamentary delegation attended the Crimea Platform Parliamentary Summit in Stockholm on Monday, reiterating Türkiye’s commitment to supporting the rights and identity of the Crimean Tatar community.
The delegation was led by Fuat Oktay, head of the Turkish Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee and Justice and Development Party (AK Party) lawmaker.
Oktay said Türkiye’s “number one priority” in Crimea was the protection of the rights and interests of Crimean Tatars, the Indigenous Muslim community of the peninsula.
Addressing the summit’s general assembly, Oktay emphasized safeguarding the community’s identity and strengthening their political and social standing.
He said Türkiye would continue supporting Crimean Tatars amid ongoing challenges since Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea, which Ankara does not recognize.
Oktay also underscored Türkiye’s backing of Ukraine’s independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty, and expressed readiness to contribute to Ukraine’s reconstruction in the event of peace.
He highlighted Türkiye’s diplomatic efforts for a “fair and lasting peace” in the Russia-Ukraine war.
On the sidelines of the summit, Oktay held meetings with the speakers of the Ukrainian and Swedish parliaments and Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria.
He also met a delegation led by Refat Chubarov, head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, where he reiterated Türkiye’s continued support.
The Crimean Tatar representatives briefed the Turkish delegation on the community’s situation and ongoing difficulties stemming from their opposition to the 2014 annexation, which led to arrests and increased pressure on community leaders.
Oktay noted that the hardships faced by Crimean Tatars date back to the 18th century, including periods of oppression and forced exile.
He said Russia’s annexation had revived historical suffering and added that Türkiye consistently raises the issue on international platforms.
He expressed regret that Western countries “failed to grasp” the severity of Crimea’s situation until after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Referring to previous talks hosted by Türkiye, Oktay said a new round of peace negotiations should also be held in Istanbul.
The Crimea Platform, launched in 2021 by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is jointly sponsored this year by Sweden and Ukraine.
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