Baku, Azerbaijan, March 14
By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:
Turkey will not recognize the results of the referendum in Crimea scheduled for March 16, if a decision to join Russia is reached. Earlier, Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu urged canceling the referendum in Crimea.
The announcement was made by Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu after the meeting of Azerbaijani, Turkish and Iranian foreign ministers in Van (Turkey), Turkish TRT Haber TV channel reported.
Currently, Turkey is holding political consultations with all parties to try and reach a settlement of the political crisis in Ukraine.
Davutoglu also stressed that Ukraine's territorial integrity is the most important issue for Ankara.
Earlier, Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu urged canceling the referendum in Crimea.
Mass protests in Ukraine began on November 21, 2013, when the government announced the suspension of the preparation of the Association Agreement with the EU. As a result of the protests, the country's President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted on Feb.22. The Verkhovna Rada (parliament) has approved the new composition of the parliament and is preparing to hold pre-term elections.
On Feb.26 several thousand people participating in two rallies gathered in front of Supreme Council of Crimea. After the escalation of the protest actions in Crimea, the Federation Council supported President Vladimir Putin's appeal regarding the use of the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine pending 'the normalization of the socio-political situation in that country'.
Leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK and the U.S., as well as the chairman of the European Council and the chairman of the European Commission made a joint statement condemning Russia's position on Ukraine and cancelled preparations for the G8 summit in Sochi, scheduled for June 2014.
The Crimean parliament decided to join Russia on March 6. MPs also voted to hold the referendum on the status of the peninsula on March 16.
Translated by L.Z.
Edited by C.N.