ANKARA (AA) - Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said, ''Turkey closely followed and respected Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko's honorary struggle on the path to democratic change of Ukraine.''
Sezer hosted a dinner in honor of Yushchenko in Ankara on Tuesday.
Sezer said, ''Turkish and Ukrainian peoples are aware of importance of democratic administrations on basis of national sovereignty. Our history taught us that regional peace and stability can be settled through states that are governed well.''
''Turkey-Ukraine Friendship and Brotherhood Agreement which was signed in Ankara on January 2nd, 1922 was an important stage of our relations. It was among the first agreements which Turkey had signed during its struggle for independence,'' he added.
Sezer noted, ''today Turkey and Ukraine are two countries which preserve stability and peace in and around Black Sea. Both countries have strategical locations in Euro-Atlantic geography.''
''Turkey supports Ukraine's integration with all Euro-Atlantic organizations. The contributions of our countries to east-west and north-south dialogues in the areas of culture, economy and security are obvious,'' he said.
CRIMEAN TATARS
Sezer said, ''Crimean Tatars, loyal citizens of Ukraine and important element of Black Sea history, established an important friendship tie between Ukraine and Turkey through their linguistic and cultural ties with Turkey.''
''I believe Crimean Tatars will undertake an important role in Ukraine's integration with western world,'' he added.
2005-06-07