KIEV - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Wednesday that ''our cooperation with Ukraine which increased in all fields after Ukraine gained its independence deepened and developed by the steps taken reciprocally.''
President Sezer arrived in Ukraine the same day. Sezer was welcomed by Ukrainian First Deputy Prime Minister Mykola Azarov. President Sezer's wife Semra Sezer and Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Ali Tuygan also came to Kiev together with Sezer.
Speaking at the airport, President Sezer said that he was very pleased to pay a visit to Ukraine upon the courteous invitation of Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma.
Sezer said that his was a return visit to the one paid by Kuchma to Turkey 2,5 years ago, adding that he would meet with Ukrainian Parliament Speaker, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister during his 3-day stay.
''Tomorrow afternoon, I will have the opportunity to address Ukrainian deputies who carried out important missions within the near history of Ukraine,'' said Sezer. Stressing that Ukraine was one of the important and big countries of the region, Sezer said that Turkey attributed great value to Ukraine's friendship.
''I believe that my visit will contribute to the good developments between the two countries. We will have the opportunity to refer to both bilateral and regional issues during my contacts. I will also be pleased by visiting Crimea with which Turkey shares historical, ethnic, cultural and religious ties and which is the motherland of Crimean Tatars,'' President Sezer said.
An official welcome ceremony will be held for President Sezer on Thursday. Sezer will start his official contacts on Thursday.
(Öª) 18.06.2003