Kuleba, Mejlis representatives discuss creation of Crimean Platform
The meeting was attended by Crimean Tatar leader Mustafa Dzhemilev, representatives of the Mejlis and its chairman Refat Chubarov, Ukrinform reports with reference to the press service of the Foreign Ministry.
“We have common views and determination to do what we believe in. If we in Ukraine do not push forward the de-occupation of Crimea, no one in the world will do it for us,” the minister said.
Kuleba also assured of Ukraine's tough reaction to the unfriendly decision of Nicaragua to appoint a so-called "honorary consul" in the temporarily occupied Crimea in violation of Ukrainian legislation and international law.
"For the first time in history, Ukraine applies sectoral sanctions. This is a clear signal that demotivates anyone from taking such steps," the Foreign Minister noted.
Representatives of the Mejlis welcomed the initiative of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry to create the Crimean Platform – a platform that will consolidate international efforts to de-occupy Crimea. They expressed their readiness to actively participate in the development, launch and further work of the platform.
Kuleba drew attention to the personal involvement of President Volodymyr Zelensky in the creation of the Crimean Platform, as well as to the efforts of the National Security and Defense Council and the Ministry of Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine. He also expressed hope for further effective interaction with the Verkhovna Rada.
In turn, Dzhemilev noted the importance and timeliness of such an initiative. Chubarov expressed hope for the successful launch of the Crimean Platform in May 2021 and assured that the Mejlis is ready to actively cooperate with the Foreign Ministry and other authorities to implement it.
The interlocutors discussed the conceptual features of the functioning of the Crimean Platform, including its parliamentary dimension, as well as legislative activities contributing to the de-occupation of Crimea. They also agreed that the discussion of Crimean issues requires the mandatory involvement of Crimean Tatars.
As reported, on September 23, President Volodymyr Zelensky presented the concept of the international Crimean Platform to the UN and invited international partners to join the initiative for de-occupation of Crimea. During the Ukraine-EU Summit on October 6, the European Union confirmed its readiness for such an initiative. Ukraine is coordinating this issue at the level of national governments of EU states.
The Crimean Platform summit will take place in Kyiv in May 2021.
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