President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, within the framework of his visit to Turkey June 12, called on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to assist Ukraine in the liberation of Ukrainian hostages from Russia.
Poroshenko also thanked Erdogan for his unwavering support of Ukraine's territorial integrity and efforts to protect the rights of the Crimean Tatars.
The parties spoke in favor of continuing intensive political dialogue at the highest level, the press service of the head of state said.
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In particular, it was about organizing a regular meeting within the framework of the Ukrainian-Turkish High-Level Strategic Council, as well as implementing the initiative to hold a trilateral summit in the Ukraine-Turkey-Azerbaijan format.
The importance of completing the negotiation process for concluding a free trade agreement between Ukraine and Turkey was stressed separately.
The two leaders also exchanged views on ways to expand mutually beneficial cooperation in the energy, aviation and defense spheres.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Deputy Chairmen of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People Ilmi Umerov and Akhtem Chiygoz, earlier convicted in the Russian-occupied Crimea for appeals to "violate Russia's territorial integrity" were in October 2017 first extradited to Turkey before being flown back to Ukraine. The two Crimean Tatar leaders were apparently swapped for two Russian spies convicted in Turkey, Korrespondent.net reported citing Haberturk.
