European Union will never recognize the annexation of Crimea by Russia. Federica Mogherini, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, claimed this at the European Parliament during the hearing on the situation in the Sea of Azov as Ukrinform reported.
“We do not recognize now and we will not recognize the annexation of the Crimean peninsula by the Russian Federation in the future,” the European diplomat noted.
Mogherini considers the current actions of Russia in the Sea of Azov as one more manifestation of the violation of the Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“The construction of Kerch bridge between the Crimean peninsula and the Russian Federation took place without the agreement of Ukraine and it is one more violation of the Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity. In addition, the bridge impedes the pass of the vessels to the Ukrainian ports in the Sea of Azov,” Mogherini noted.
She reminded that a half of the year ago, Russia started to implement the inspection regime of the cargo vessels.
“These inspections led to the long delays, which dramatically increased during the last few months. It has the direct consequences for the contracts not only of the Ukrainian exporters but also for the vessels under EU flags,” Mogherini emphasized.
According to her, more than 200 vessels under Ukrainian and international flags were checked by Russia. In some cases, such inspections continued during a few days.
In parallel, Russia holds the mass militarization of the Sea of Azov.
“More disturbing than a tight control of Russia of the pass of the vessels through the strait is that the militarization of the Sea of Azov takes place in parallel with it. Russia has begun to use more military vessels in this region and Ukraine partially responded to this actions with the increasing of its own military presence,” she said and emphasized that the militarization of the Sea of Azov does not correspond to anyone’s interests.
“It can just destabilize the fragile situation with security in the broader region of the Black Sea”.
According to Mogherini, the European Union welcomes the efforts of Ukraine on the solution of the situation around the Sea of Azov in the international courts.
“We welcome the fact that Ukraine seeks for the justice at the international courts as for example with the violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” she said.
“We will urgently condemn the construction of Kerch bridge without an agreement of the Ukrainian side. In July, the EU Council added six subjects involved in the construction of bridge on the list of the entities against which the sanctions are used for the actions that subvert the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” she claimed.
Earlier Poland confirmed the consistent support of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, condemned the Russian aggression against Ukraine and urged Russia to release all Ukrainian political prisoners.
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