Turkey will never recognize the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia, Foreign Minister of Republic of Turkey Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu says.
Çavuşoğlu’s remarks came during a visit to Turkey's Eskişehir province on Friday to meet with the representatives of non-governmental organisations.
The Minister believes that a foreign policy should be established according to global developments with analyzing power balance in politics, military and economy.
Crimean Tatars and other Turkish peoples make a significant contribution
Emphasizing that many people of Balkan, Caucasian and Crimean Tatar origin living in Eskişehir province, Çavuşoğlu said these cognates found significant enrichment to both the city and the country.
"We are always standing with our cognates, including our cognates in the Balkans, Meskhetian Turks, Crimean Tatars, Gagauz, and Uyghurs. We will continue to stand by them hereafter. Our priority is to serve our compatriots, together with our citizens," Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said.
Noting that Turkey is also accelerating the consular operations, the Turkish Minister said most consular services are available online.
Turkey is one of the leaders in Crimea issue
The top diplomat stressed that Turkey is "one of the leaders" in the Crimea issue and reaffirmed its position on the Crimea Platform diplomatic initiative.
"We are one of the leading countries in the Crimea issue. By participating in the recent Crimea Platform, Turkey once again reminded that it stands by the Crimean Tatars by manifesting that with its discourses and actions. We have never recognized the annexation of Crimea, and we will not. We will continue to defend the rights of Crimean Tatars to the end," Çavuşoğlu said.
