Türkiye and Ukraine are close neighbors in the Black Sea region and enjoy excellent relations, a reflection of deep-rooted connections stretching back many centuries. Ukraine has been Türkiye’s strategic partner for over a decade, hence the strong solidarity and support between our two countries. Indeed, the most recent manifestation of our solidarity was displayed when a devastating earthquake struck eleven cities in Türkiye early this year. Ukraine quickly deployed a search and rescue team that performed miracles in saving lives and also sent humanitarian aid to Türkiye. I cannot express enough our nationwide appreciation to the people and the Government of Ukraine for their display of solidarity and friendship towards Türkiye despite their own wartime challenges.
Türkiye holds very dear the notions of independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. We have been an ardent supporter of such fundamental principles for Ukraine as well, ever since its independence in 1991, and with stronger reiteration following the occupation and annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Türkiye has been providing political, economic, humanitarian, and practical support to Ukraine and stays engaged through diplomatic efforts to facilitate a solution for a just and lasting peace. Since the outset of the war in 2022, Bayraktar drones have become a symbol of Ukraine’s resilience. The presidents of our two countries, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Volodymir Zelenskyy, communicate frequently.
Türkiye supports the principles of the 10-point Peace Plan and co-leads Point 2 of the Plan, entitled “Food Security.” Türkiye worked hard with all parties to bring the Black Sea Grain Initiative to life last year. Signed in July 2022, the Grain Initiative enabled agricultural supplies from Ukraine to reach international markets for a year while averting a worldwide food crisis and reducing volatility in food prices. Türkiye continues with its efforts to reinvigorate a commercially viable and sustainable flow of grain from Ukraine to global markets.
Türkiye has also been contributing to international humanitarian efforts for Ukraine since the beginning of the war. The Turkish Government, along with the Turkish private sector, have provided more than 100 trucks of humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.
Around 1200 Ukrainian children, some of them in need of special care, were brought to our country by the joint initiative of Turkish First Lady Emine Erdoğan and Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska. We now host about 700 children and their carers in a humble effort to provide some comfort during these challenging times. Our institutions have been mobilized to meet the needs of these wonderful kids, whom have been entrusted to our care. Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency TİKA and the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority of Türkiye (AFAD) have also extended our country’s friendly hand through tailored projects for Ukraine. We still have a long to-do list, and we will remain engaged with the people of Ukraine through human-centered programs and projects.
The war has shifted the focus of our bilateral relations somewhat, but it has not prevented ongoing mutual efforts to further our close cooperation. Bilateral trade between Türkiye and Ukraine hit a record volume of USD 7.6 billion in 2022 and will likely reach USD 8.5 billion this year. This growth is quite an achievement, especially when considering that it is taking place in wartime conditions and before the entry into force of the Free Trade Agreement between the two countries, which was signed by both presidents in February 2022 but has yet to be ratified.
Amid the new and multifaceted challenges that have emerged for the Ukrainian economy since February 2022, the Turkish business community has demonstrated its strong will to stay and continue its endeavors in Ukraine. Despite the current conditions, our contractors are currently undertaking new projects in a wide range of areas. Given the strong presence and considerable experience of our contractors in the country, Türkiye is uniquely situated to partner with Ukraine for postwar reconstruction efforts.
People-to-people exchanges best define the rich relations between our two countries. In 2021, more than 2 million Ukranian tourists visited Türkiye. Beyond the socio-cultural layers that enrich the complementary nature of relations between Türkiye and Ukraine, we deeply embrace our kinsmen here, the Crimean Tatars and others, who provide a valuable cultural bridge between our two countries.
This year, we are elated and proud to have reached the Centenary of the Republic of Türkiye. We are also marking the five hundredth year of the tradition of Turkish diplomacy and foreign service. Throughout our history, Türkiye has always attached great value and importance to Ukraine. Our country was among the first to recognize the Ukrainian People’s Republic in 1918, during the Ottoman Empire, and again, one of the first countries to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with Ukraine following independence in 1991.
From political and socio-economic areas to culture and tourism cooperation, bilateral relations between Türkiye and Ukraine have tremendous potential for the benefit of the whole region. In line with our principled and visionary policies, we continue to extend Türkiye’s cooperation and collaboration to Ukraine, and we are committed to further developing this unique relationship in every possible field in the years to come.