President Gül warns against new Cold War over Ukraine crisis

ANKARA

President Gül (R) talks with his Polish counterpart Komorowski in Ankara. The Polish president said they agreed in their views over Ukraine.

Starting a new cold war is in nobody’s interest and would be dangerous for everyone, President Abdullah Gül warned March 5, referring to tension between Western and Russia over Ukraine, especially Crimea.

“Tension must be avoided and problems should be solved through diplomacy. International law must be observed for this objective,” Gül said at a press conference with Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski. The Polish president came to Turkey to celebrate the 600th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Turkey believes in the political unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine, Gül said, adding that the Crimean peninsula was also part of Ukraine’s political and territorial integrity.

Turkey and Poland are two countries with interests in the Black Sea, so developments in the region concern both nations, the president said, noting that Turkey was one of the first to establish contact with the new administration in Ukraine after President Viktor Yanukovych departed following demonstrations against his rule.

For his part, Komorowski said Turkey and Poland agreed in their views regarding Ukraine, including Crimea. “We believe that Crimea should stay in Ukrainian territory.”

Elaborating on bilateral relations with Turkey, the Polish president said they wanted to strengthen business ties.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin late March 4. Erdoğan said it was largely up to Ukrainians to resolve their country’s crisis, adding that instability in the Black Sea nation would have regional repercussions, according to Turkish sources.

“Both sides expressed confidence that in spite of the aggressive actions by radical and extremist Maidan forces, interethnic and interfaith peace and order will be ensured in Crimea. Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan agreed to maintain communication on this matter at various levels,” a written statement from Russia’s Ankara embassy said.