With its strategic location of the existing power lines and economic potential, Ukraine, as one of the most important countries of Eastern Europe, is one of the pilot countries with which Turkey aims to develop its relations in an ‘exemplary manner’. Besides, since Ankara and Kiev, share common values and priorities within the framework of preserving stability in the region, the Black Sea neighborhood adds another dimension to bilateral relations.

With the High-Level Strategic Council founded in May 2010, it is aimed to improve political and economic relations. Moreover with visa exemption agreement, which is going to be signed in...

Having declared independence from the Soviet Union on August 24, 1991, Ukraine administratively consists of 24 regions (oblasts), the two cities of Kiev and Sevastopol with special status, and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. The population of Ukraine is about 45.8 million. Ethnic Ukrainians compose 77.3% of the total while ethnic Russians number about 17.3%.

Ukraine has a presidential-parliamentary system of government with separate legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.

The president is described as the head of the state and head of the executive power in Ukraine; president is granted the power to appoint the prime minister with...

The nominal GDP of Ukraine in 2010 was $ 137.93 billion while the GDP per capita in 2010 was $ 3,007.²³ GDP composition by sector in 2010 consisted of agriculture 8%; industry 29%; and services 63%. In 2009, the level of unemployment constituted 8.8%.²⁴ The main brunches of industry are metallurgy, chemical industry, machine building, construction materials industry, light industry, food, timber, paper industry, fuel and energy industry, coal industry, oil processing industry and electrical ener gy.

Ukraine’s economy remains burdened by excessive government regulation, corruption, and lack of law enforcement, and while the government has taken steps against corruption...

Since 1991, when Ukraine gained independence, the European Union and Ukraine have developed an increasingly dynamic relationship. Ukraine is a partner country within the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) and the Eastern Partnership. The current legal framework for EU-Ukraine relations is provided by the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA).³³

The Partnership and C-operation Agreement (PCA) was signed in 1994, entered into force in 1998, and expired in 2008. The document was focused on economic and social issues as well as on the necessity of improving public government and guaranteeing free press and civil rights. The framework set for political discussions was...

The Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Turkey and Ukraine was signed on February 3, 1992. The legal framework regulating the relations and cooperation between the two countries is almost complete after the signing of various agreements and protocols in political, military, economic, cultural, consular, educational and intelligence-related fields. Turkey attaches importance to Ukraine in terms of maintaining the stability of the region and strives to further develop its bilateral relations with Ukraine in every field. Its strategic location, rich natural resources, economic and trade potential make Ukraine one of the most important countries of Eastern Europe.

Moreover...

Coming up to the twentieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, when evaluating bilateral relations it seems that cooperation between Turkey and Ukraine, although the states share common values and priorities, is limited within the Black Sea region.

In terms of perspectives for Turkey, Ukraine is not only one of the main actors of the region but also the country in which Crimean Tatars live. As for Ukraine, Turkey is one of the key actors in terms of the security and the stability of the region.

Within this framework of perceptions, the aim of expanding bilateral relations is being...