Militarization of Crimea poses threat to security in Europe - Czech Foreign Ministry

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic announced this in the official statement on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation.

"The Czech Republic having also experienced a military occupation of a part of its territory by a strong neighbouring country remains steadfast in its commitment to pursuing a non-recognition policy," the report says.

Five years ago by annexing Crimea Russia committed a flagrant breach of international law. The Czech Republic as well as the European Union and the overwhelming majority of countries continue to consider the Crimean peninsula as a part of Ukraine.

"The ongoing militarization of the territory of Crimea, as well as a violation of unhindered and free navigation through the Kerch Strait and in the Sea of Azov, represent yet another blatant breach of international law. Moreover, it poses a threat to stability and security in Europe," Czech Foreign Ministry stresses.

Since the occupation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, the fundamental human and civil rights of the Crimean Tatars, as well as those of other ethnic and religious communities, have been violated.

The Czech Republic calls on the Russian Federation to assure compliance with the international human rights standards as well as to immediately release Oleg Sentsov and other illegally detained Ukrainian citizens including the crewmembers captured during the attack on Ukrainian vessels in November 2018.