Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that Crimea must become part of Ukraine again, Yevropeyska Pravda has reported.
"From the very beginning, Turkey has openly stated that the annexation of Crimea is unconstitutional and illegal and that it will not recognise it. This is a principled position on both legal and moral grounds. International law essentially determines that Crimea must return to Ukraine, of which it is an integral part," Erdogan said at the second summit of the Crimea Platform initiative.
He noted that the de-occupation of the Ukrainian peninsula is a requirement of international law, as well as an essential element of global security and stability. And preserving the territorial integrity, sovereignty of Ukraine is "crucial not only for regional, but also for global security and stability".
"It is also a priority for Turkey to ensure the security and welfare of our kin Crimean Tatars, who are one of the indigenous peoples of Crimea. Our Crimean Tatars have been closely watching the recent developments in Crimea," Erdogan added.
Turkey supports the Ukrainian authorities and Crimean Tatars now struggling for a peaceful life in their homeland, he added.
The second summit of the Crimea Platform was held in Ukraine with around 60 participants.
Polish President Andrzej Duda, who attended the summit in person, expressed confidence that he would visit Ukrainian Crimea after the peninsula will be liberated from the Russian occupation.