The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk met with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Turkey to Ukraine Mustafa Levent Bilgen
“Ukraine is grateful to Turkey for the humanitarian, financial and all other assistance provided to our country in countering the full-scale armed aggression of the russian federation,” said the Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk, emphasizing the importance of the defense assistance that Turkey has already provided to Ukraine.
At the same time, he noted that the diplomatic mission of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Turkey to Ukraine is starting at a very difficult time – in the context of a full-scale war against Ukraine unleashed by russia. “I believe that your efforts will be aimed at deepening strategic cooperation between Ukraine and Turkey, as well as at overcoming the negative consequences of russian aggression,” the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine said.
The parties also discussed issues of inter-parliamentary cooperation. For his part, Ruslan Stefanchuk noted that he highly appreciates the constructive contacts that exist between the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.
“Despite russia's unilateral withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Ukraine remains one of the guarantors of global food security,” the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine emphasized, adding that Ukraine appeals to Turkey to continue supporting efforts to prevent a global food crisis.
In addition, Ruslan Stefanchuk expressed hope for Turkey's support for Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration, in particular, for the formation of a common vision of the Alliance's mechanism and a clearly defined time frame for Ukraine's accession to NATO.
In conclusion, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine thanked the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey for participating in the Second Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimean Platform: “We had a very informative meeting within the framework of this Forum. Ukraine highly appreciates the participation of the Republic of Turkey in the establishment and activities of the International Crimean Platform”.