The Crimea Platform

Romania has joined the international Crimea Platform

Ştefan Stoica, 24.08.2021, 14:00

As most pundits have already noted,
Ukraine is trying to hold on to Crimea, the peninsula illegally annexed by
Russia in 2014. The Crimea Platform, whose inaugural summit was held on Monday
and which Moscow has immediately labeled as an action against Russia, is an
initiative trying to draw more global awareness regarding Russia’s illegal
annexation of Crimea, and to ultimately facilitate its return to Ukraine.
Representatives of over 40 states have adopted a final resolution condemning
what they have termed the temporary occupation and illegal annexation of
Crimea, which is a direct challenge to global security. The document warns that
the ongoing militarization of the region undermines security and stability in
the Black Sea region, condemns Russia’s efforts to legitimize the temporary
occupation and the illegal annexation, as well as all violations of human
rights in the peninsula.

The joint declaration calls on Moscow to make sure
that all people belonging to ethnic and religious communities, including
Ukrainian and Tatar ethnics, have their rights fully observed. Romania was
represented at the Crimea Platform summit by Prime Minister Florin Cîţu and
Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu. The Romanian Prime Minister announced
Romania’s accession to the Platform and reiterated our country’s constant
support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as
Romania’s firm commitment to denounce the illegal annexation of Crimea.
Bucharest authorities, Florin Cîţu explained, are aware of the current
challenges and threats to the values, stability and security of the Black Sea
region. The Prime Minister also expressed Romania’s support for Ukraine’s
efforts to join the EU and NATO, recalling that Romania was the first EU member
state to ratify the Association Agreement with the EU. Achieving these goals
must rely on a reform process that should bring benefits to all Ukrainian citizens,
including those of Romanian origin, the Romanian official said.

Florin Cîţu
went on to say that external threats and challenges can better be managed if
states act together towards solving bilateral issues. On the sidelines of the
event, the Prime Minister met with his Ukrainian counterpart, Denys Shmyhal,
reiterating Romania’s readiness to boost bilateral cooperation, including by
hosting a new sitting of the inter-government Committee on economic, industrial
and scientific cooperation. The two Prime Ministers said they also want to step
up cooperation in various sectors such as transports, infrastructure and border
crossing. Florin Cîţu insisted on the observance of the rights of the Romanian
minority in Ukraine, which totals some 400 thousand people. (VP)