Poroshenko on visit to Turkey to discuss returning of Crimea, protection of rights of Crimean Tatars

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said that during his visit to Turkey on March 9-10 he will initiate discussion of the protection of rights of Crimean, as well as the returning of Ukraine's sovereignty to the Crimean peninsula.

"The most important items on the agenda with Turkish President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan and Prime Minister [Ahmet] Davutoglu are the protection of Crimean Tatar people's rights and coordination of our actions on the return of Ukraine's sovereignty over Crimea," Poroshenko said, while speaking with representatives of Crimean Tatars and Ukrainian diaspora in Ankara on Wednesday.

Ukrainian president thanked Crimean Tatars for their position on the preservation of Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence, including their non-recognition of Crimean annexation and its early return under Ukrainian sovereignty.

"Gross violations of human rights that occur in Crimea during the Russian occupation are absolutely unacceptable. First of all, as president of Ukraine, I will appeal during a meeting at the Turkish parliament regarding coordination of actions and steps to recognize the deportation of the Crimean Tatar people in 1944 as genocide of the Crimean Tatar people," Poroshenko stressed.

He also said that other items on his agenda with the Turkish authorities include security issues, also in the Black Sea region, as well as economic cooperation. "We are very grateful to Turkey for its continued support to Ukrainian sovereignty and Ukraine's independence," Poroshenko outlined.