Parubiy calls on PABSEC to give adequate response to Russian aggression

29.11.2017 14:53

Ukrinform

Verkhovna Rada Chairman Andriy Parubiy has called on the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization of Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC) to give an adequate response to the aggressive actions of Russia against the member states of the organization.

He stated this in his opening speech at the opening ceremony of the 50th meeting of the PABSEC General Assembly on Wednesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"We must recognize that the security situation in the region is extremely complex and tense. We must admit that... Russia's aggressive policy has caused a brutal violation of the territorial integrity of not only Ukraine, but also of our other neighbors, PABSEC members. This does not correspond to the statutory goal of the organization, because our statutory goals are to act in the spirit of friendship and good neighborliness, based on the principles and norms of international law. Therefore, it undermines the very foundation and philosophy of PABSEC's activity," Parubiy said.

He noted that Russia's aggression against PABSEC members must be properly assessed.

"When one of the PABSEC member countries pursues aggressive policies, sends the occupation forces into the territory of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, this undermines the very foundation and philosophy of our organization's activity, and we must give an adequate response to similar actions of the aggressor country," Parubiy said.

At the same time, he considers it necessary to extend international sanctions against the aggressor until the liberation of Donbas and Crimea.

"The world's leading powers have imposed sanctions on Russia and constantly extend them. We are grateful to the international community for their full support, and we believe that sanctions against the aggressor must continue and be strengthened until the full restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity in accordance with international law. We're talking not only about certain districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, but also about the Ukrainian Crimea. The cost for Russia for brutal violations of international law and armed aggression against other states must constantly rise," he said.