Turkey will take part in the Global Peace Summit
The Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Olena Kondratiuk met with Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Ukraine Mustafa Levent Bilgen. The parties, in particular, established cooperation on humanitarian issues and parliamentary diplomacy.
Olena Kondratiuk noted that Ukraine and Turkey are strategic partners. Turkey supports Ukraine at the diplomatic level, in international organisations, and in voting on UN General Assembly resolutions. Moreover, Turkey is a co-author of many of them.
“We all know and appreciate the important role Turkey played in the maritime grain initiative, the release of our prisoners of war from Mariupol, and the urgent evacuation of orphans from Odesa,” the Vice-Speaker stressed.
For his part, the Ambassador Mustafa Levent Bilgen stressed that Turkey’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is fundamental and unwavering.
“We are very grateful to the Turkish side for the economic and humanitarian assistance provided since the beginning of the full-scale russian invasion. These are 180 generators for Kharkiv and Kherson and hundreds of trucks of humanitarian aid from Turkish authorities, communities and businesses. These are dozens of ambulances, medical equipment for a hospital in Rivne, and participation in the reconstruction of social infrastructure, including a school in Hostomel,” said Olena Kondratiuk. She added that amid the energy crisis, it is crucial that Turkey continues to help Ukraine with generators.
The parties also discussed preparations for the Berlin Conference on Ukraine’s recovery and the Peace Summit in Switzerland.
“Mustafa Levent Bilgen confirmed that the Turkish side will take an active part in both international events important for Ukraine. Turkey supports the Ukrainian Peace Formula, especially point two on food security,” said Olena Kondratiuk.
The participants of the working meeting also noted the high level of inter-parliamentary cooperation between the countries and the recent fruitful visit of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk to Turkey.
“We discussed the Free Trade Agreement with Turkey. The government has sent it to the Verkhovna Rada for approval. I am confident that we will consider and ratify it in the near future,” Olena Kondratiuk said.
The Vice-Speaker also stressed that on behalf of the Parliament of Ukraine she is dealing with the return of illegally deported Ukrainian children.
“We hope that Turkey will also join the process of returning Ukrainian children. We also ask for assistance in organising summer holidays and psychological rehabilitation in Turkey for Ukrainian children from war-affected regions,” said Olena Kondratiuk.
In addition, she suggested that the Turkish side, as one of NATO’s powerful naval powers, consider organising an internship for cadets from the only Ukrainian naval lyceum named after Vice Admiral Bezkorovainyi in Odesa.