Turkey's support for Ukrainian sovereignty and the protection of Crimean Tatars are important for Ukraine, Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko has said.

"That is why it is very important for us to have a solid and principled position of Turkey in support of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of our state, a clear position on the non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, support for our Crimean Tatar brothers, on their protection and clear coordination of actions, including joint positions in the international organizations," Poroshenko said when speaking at the Istanbul University on Saturday, which was aired on the president's Facebook page.

Rector of the Istanbul University Mahmut Ak said Poroshenko had been awarded the title of Honorary Doctor of the Istanbul University. The head of the Ukrainian state was given the appropriate certificate and a doctoral gown.

The rector of the University of Istanbul said that this degree is awarded for the establishment of democratic values in the world and efforts to strengthen the Ukrainian-Turkish relations. "Throughout your political activity, you strengthen the Ukrainian-Turkish relations," he said.

As reported, Poroshenko is paying an official visit to Turkey on November 2-4.