President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's visit to Ukraine on Monday for the sixth session of the High-Level Strategic Council of Turkey (YDSK) is expected to carry forward the relations between the two countries.
In Kiev, Erdoğan and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko will preside over the Council's discussions on political, economic and military relations. Also on the agenda are educational developments, tourism, energy and security against terrorism.
Since the fourth session of YDSK in 2014, Ukraine and Turkey have accelerated negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement between the two countries. Erdoğan stated his goal of a $20 billion trade volume by 2023.
Trade volume in 2016 amounted to $3.8 billion, with $1.25 billion exports from Turkey and $2.55 billion imports from Ukraine.
Relations between Turkey and Ukraine gained the status of strategic partnership with the establishment of the YDSK in 2011.
Since the Council's formation, Turkey and Ukraine have signed multiple agreements including this year's Visa Waiver Agreement. Effective August 1, citizens of the two countries can enter the other country using newly-issued identity cards without visas.
Turkey repeatedly that it continues to favor the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. Turkey does not recognize Russia's illegal annexation of the Crimea in 2014 and the so-called government declared by separatists in the eastern region of Donetsk.
