President Erdoğan condemns annexation of Crimea as news unfolds
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Sends Video Message to Fourth Crimea Platform Leaders Summit
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan recently sent a video message to the Fourth Crimea Platform Leaders Summit, emphasizing the ongoing pain and suffering of the Crimean Tatar Turk compatriots who were forcibly removed from their homeland 80 years ago. President Erdoğan stated that the wounds of this tragedy have not healed and that Turkey has always opposed and not recognized the annexation of Crimea, as it has only deepened the suffering of the Crimean Tatar Turks.
Erdoğan affirmed Turkey’s support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence, emphasizing that the return of Crimea to Ukraine is a requirement of international law. He also highlighted the importance of ensuring the security and well-being of the Crimean Tatar Turk compatriots, who are indigenous to Crimea, as a top priority of Turkey’s foreign policy.
The President expressed satisfaction with the legal regulations introduced by the Ukrainian government to strengthen the rights of the Crimean Tatar Turks and called for further steps to be taken in the coming period. Erdoğan welcomed the release of Deputy Chairman of the Crimean Tatar National Assembly, Nariman Celal, after nearly 3 years of captivity, and expressed hope for the freedom of all Crimean Tatar compatriots, including Asan and Aziz Ahmedov.
Erdoğan concluded by expressing his sincere wish for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, based on its territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence. He hoped that the efforts within the Crimea Platform would contribute to international peace-building in Crimea, Ukraine, and the wider region. The President respectfully commemorated the 80th anniversary of the exile of the Crimean Tatar Turk compatriots and sent his respects and greetings to all participants of the summit.
