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25 August 2021, 10:21
The EU do not and will not recognize the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol
The President of the European Council Charles Michel and the Executive
Vice President of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis took part
in the international summit of the Crimean Platform in Kyiv. Both
officials reaffirmed the European Union's support for Ukraine's
sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally
recognized borders.
“I am here to reaffirm the EU's unwavering stance: we do not and will not recognize the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by Russia. We will continue to staunchly enforce our non-recognition policy. And we will stand tall against any violations of international law,” Charles Michel, President of the European Council, said (https://bit.ly/387mJnp ) in his speech at the inaugural session of the International Summit of the Crimean Platform. He also reminded that Russia's aggressive actions have serious consequences: the restrictive measures imposed by the European Union and which have been constantly intensified since 2014, according to Charles Michel, clearly demonstrated this. “Our aim is to make sure that the illegal annexation will no way be legitimized,” the President of the European Council said. “The illegal annexation constitutes an affront to the very rules-based international order in which we all have a vital interest in preserving. This is why we call for the broadest international support possible in addressing the annexation of Crimea, through non-recognition measures and advocacy in international fora.”
Charles Michel also pointed out that Russia's actions continued to increase the negative impact of the annexation: “The continued militarisation of the peninsula heavily affects the security situation in the Black Sea region. This should be reversed. The human rights situation remains dire, due to Russia's efforts to forcibly integrate the peninsula into its mainland. The Crimean Tatars continue to be persecuted, pressured and have their rights gravely violated.”
Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice President of the European Commission, also mentioned the dire human rights situation on the annexed peninsula (https://bit.ly/3sJQOTn). Ethnic Ukrainians, Crimean Tatars, and other residents of Crimea have been particularly affected by Russia’s actions; their fundamental freedoms remain severely restricted. “We are very worried about the lack of international access to the Crimean Peninsula, which leaves many severe human rights violations not accounted for,” Valdis Dombrovskis said.
Executive Vice-President of European Commission also noted that despite ongoing conflict, which was the responsibility of the Russian Federation, Ukraine had been able to make progress on reforms, including public administration reform, decentralization, the fight against corruption, and macroeconomic and digital transformation reforms. “We are convinced that there cannot be a resilient Europe without a resilient Ukraine. The EU has therefore supported Ukraine to strengthen its resilience, including by working on conflict prevention, countering hybrid threats, cyber security, critical infrastructure protection and countering disinformation,” Valdis Dombrovskis said. At the same time, the Vice President of the European Commission is not very optimistic about the prospects of Ukraine's membership in the EU. In an interview with RBC-Ukraine, he stated (https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/valdis-dombrovskis-seychas-konsensusa-dalneyshemu-1629664650.html) that joining the EU was primarily a political issue, which should be unanimously supported by all member states. “I do not think it can be a matter of the near future, given the political dynamics in the EU. This issue needs to be kept on the agenda, but in the short term it is important to focus on making the most of the opportunities offered by the Association Agreement. There is still a lot to be done within its framework,” Valdis Dombrovskis said. He also noted (https://bit.ly/3B9T2hM) that the Association Agreement could encompass new areas, such as those covered by the European Green Deal. For example, there are important opportunities in Strategic Partnership on Critical Raw Materials and Batteries, and the strategic alliance launched last July by signing a Memorandum of Understanding between the EU and Ukraine is a proof of this.
Executive Vice-President of European Commission also reminded of the important tasks still facing Ukraine: “In order to improve the business climate and attract more foreign investment, Ukraine must continue to do everything possible to tackle corruption and the influence of oligarchs. Key institutions must have strong and independent leadership, and be able to do their work free of undue political or economic interference. This way, the European Union stands by Ukraine as a committed and trusted partner,” Valdis Dombrovskis assured.
“I am here to reaffirm the EU's unwavering stance: we do not and will not recognize the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by Russia. We will continue to staunchly enforce our non-recognition policy. And we will stand tall against any violations of international law,” Charles Michel, President of the European Council, said (https://bit.ly/387mJnp ) in his speech at the inaugural session of the International Summit of the Crimean Platform. He also reminded that Russia's aggressive actions have serious consequences: the restrictive measures imposed by the European Union and which have been constantly intensified since 2014, according to Charles Michel, clearly demonstrated this. “Our aim is to make sure that the illegal annexation will no way be legitimized,” the President of the European Council said. “The illegal annexation constitutes an affront to the very rules-based international order in which we all have a vital interest in preserving. This is why we call for the broadest international support possible in addressing the annexation of Crimea, through non-recognition measures and advocacy in international fora.”
Charles Michel also pointed out that Russia's actions continued to increase the negative impact of the annexation: “The continued militarisation of the peninsula heavily affects the security situation in the Black Sea region. This should be reversed. The human rights situation remains dire, due to Russia's efforts to forcibly integrate the peninsula into its mainland. The Crimean Tatars continue to be persecuted, pressured and have their rights gravely violated.”
Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice President of the European Commission, also mentioned the dire human rights situation on the annexed peninsula (https://bit.ly/3sJQOTn). Ethnic Ukrainians, Crimean Tatars, and other residents of Crimea have been particularly affected by Russia’s actions; their fundamental freedoms remain severely restricted. “We are very worried about the lack of international access to the Crimean Peninsula, which leaves many severe human rights violations not accounted for,” Valdis Dombrovskis said.
Executive Vice-President of European Commission also noted that despite ongoing conflict, which was the responsibility of the Russian Federation, Ukraine had been able to make progress on reforms, including public administration reform, decentralization, the fight against corruption, and macroeconomic and digital transformation reforms. “We are convinced that there cannot be a resilient Europe without a resilient Ukraine. The EU has therefore supported Ukraine to strengthen its resilience, including by working on conflict prevention, countering hybrid threats, cyber security, critical infrastructure protection and countering disinformation,” Valdis Dombrovskis said. At the same time, the Vice President of the European Commission is not very optimistic about the prospects of Ukraine's membership in the EU. In an interview with RBC-Ukraine, he stated (https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/valdis-dombrovskis-seychas-konsensusa-dalneyshemu-1629664650.html) that joining the EU was primarily a political issue, which should be unanimously supported by all member states. “I do not think it can be a matter of the near future, given the political dynamics in the EU. This issue needs to be kept on the agenda, but in the short term it is important to focus on making the most of the opportunities offered by the Association Agreement. There is still a lot to be done within its framework,” Valdis Dombrovskis said. He also noted (https://bit.ly/3B9T2hM) that the Association Agreement could encompass new areas, such as those covered by the European Green Deal. For example, there are important opportunities in Strategic Partnership on Critical Raw Materials and Batteries, and the strategic alliance launched last July by signing a Memorandum of Understanding between the EU and Ukraine is a proof of this.
Executive Vice-President of European Commission also reminded of the important tasks still facing Ukraine: “In order to improve the business climate and attract more foreign investment, Ukraine must continue to do everything possible to tackle corruption and the influence of oligarchs. Key institutions must have strong and independent leadership, and be able to do their work free of undue political or economic interference. This way, the European Union stands by Ukraine as a committed and trusted partner,” Valdis Dombrovskis assured.