EU: Russia's annexation of Crimea remains direct threat to international security

01.03.2019 14:20

Ukrinform

The European Union does not and will not recognize the illegal annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, which was a violation of international law and remains to be a direct threat to international security.

The corresponding statement of the European Union on the fifth anniversary of the illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol by the Russian Federation was read out during the OSCE Permanent Council meeting in Vienna, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"Russia's actions in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol were the violation of international law and remain to be a direct threat to international security with serious implications for international law and order, which protects the unity and sovereignty of all the states. Those actions also contradict Russia's obligations under the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and the Paris Charter, which establish the legal framework of the European security order," the statement reads.

It is also noted that the EU condemns all the initiatives carried out by Russia during the past year "on the forced integration of the illegally annexed Crimea, including the construction of the Kerch Strait Bridge without the consent of Ukraine, which is another violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

In addition, the European Union expresses serious concern about the human rights situation in the occupied Crimea.

The European Union called for full compliance with international human rights standards in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, thorough investigation into existing violations and bringing perpetrators to justice, as well as providing access to Crimea for international human rights missions and non-governmental organizations.

"Five years ago, Russia violated Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity by illegally annexing the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, which was a clear violation of international rules, principles and commitments. The EU remains firmly committed to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders and persistent in condemning this act. We do not and will not recognize it [the illegal annexation]," the European Union stressed on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the illegal annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation.