EU confirms non-recognition of passports issued by Russia in Crimea

28.02.2020 11:21

Ukrinform

The EU does not recognize Russian passports issued to the residents of the occupied Crimea after its annexation and calls on all OSCE members to do the same.

This is mentioned in the statement read out by the European Union delegation at the OSCE Permanent Council meeting in Vienna, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"We are concerned about the policy of introducing Russian citizenship on the occupied peninsula, as well as the illegal expropriation of Ukrainian assets there. The EU reaffirms its stance on the non-recognition of Russian passports issued to residents of the occupied peninsula after annexation and calls on other states to do the same" the statement reads.

In addition, the EU added that the so-called "elections" in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol, which took place on September 8, 2019, "were yet another violation of Ukraine's sovereignty."

"Since March 2014, the European Union has imposed restrictive measures in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol and the deliberate destabilization of Ukraine by Russia. We reaffirm our unwavering support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and independence of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders," the EU underscores.