MFA consolidates efforts with Crimean Platform to de-occupy peninsula

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is consolidating efforts with the newly created expert network of the Crimean Platform in order to achieve a common goal - the de-occupation of Crimea. 

First Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Emine Dzheppar said this during a meeting with representatives of the newly created expert network of the Crimean Platform, the leadership of the Representative Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the East Europe Foundation (EEF), and the USAID program coordinator, the ministry’s press service reports.

"During the meeting, the main attention was paid to the priority steps and common tasks of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the expert network, in particular as part of the preparation for the inaugural summit of the Crimean Platform in Kyiv on August 23," the report reads.

"Our team, headed by Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, is convinced that only by consolidating the efforts of the state and civil society, we will be able to effectively counteract all the negative consequences of the Russian occupation and achieve our main common goal - the de-occupation of Crimea," Dzheppar stressed.

The ministry and the expert network agreed to develop a plan of joint events, which, in particular, will include analytical studies of the expert network, their presentation abroad, public events, etc.

As a reminder, the Crimean Platform is a new consultative and coordination format initiated by Ukraine to improve the efficiency of the international response to the occupation of Crimea, respond to growing security challenges, step up international pressure on Russia, prevent further human rights violations, protect victims of the occupation regime, and achieve the de-occupation of Crimea.

The first Crimean Platform summit is scheduled for August 23, 2021.

The presentation of the Crimean Platform expert network took place on June 7.

The expert network will bring together representatives of Ukrainian and foreign non-governmental organizations, analytical research centers, and human rights defenders who are involved in researching the entire spectrum of problems caused by the Russian occupation of Crimea.

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