Repressions of occupation authorities of Crimea against Crimean Tatars and Ukrainians cannot be ignored by Council of Europe

President Petro Poroshenko had a meeting with PACE President Pedro Agramunt who is on an official visit to Ukraine.

The President has drawn attention of the PACE President to the continuation of Russian aggression against Ukraine, which stipulates the necessity of further political pressure and enhancement of respective sanctions against Russia, inter alia, in the framework of the Council of Europe.

“We do not observe any progress from Russia in the implementation of PACE requirements, which remains the main precondition for the restoration of rights of the Russian PACE delegation suspended in response to serious violations of Russia’s commitments within the Council of Europe,” Petro Poroshenko emphasized.

The Head of State urged the PACE President to follow firm and unwavering position in that issue.

Petro Poroshenko paid special attention to the necessity of returning Ukrainian citizens illegally retained and convicted in Russia, particularly Nadiya Savchenko, to the Homeland as soon as possible. He is hopeful that Yuriy Soloshenko and Hennadiy Afanasyev will also return to Ukraine shortly. The Head of State expressed gratitude to the PACE President for the Assembly’s support and consistent position in the abovementioned issue.

“We urge PACE to use all instruments for the liberation of Ukrainian political prisoners in Russia. In this context, your support and consistent position, dear Mr. President, are crucial,” Petro Poroshenko noted.

“PACE and me personally are closely observing the situation of our colleague Nadiya Savchenko. I am hopeful to have an opportunity to greet her shortly,” Pedro Agramunt said.

The parties condemned the decision of the occupation authorities to prohibit Mejlis in Crimea. The Head of State emphasized that a new wave of unprecedented repression of Crimean Tatars and Ukrainians on the peninsula could not be ignored by the Council of Europe.

The parties discussed prospects of important economic, social and internal political reforms in Ukraine. The PACE President commended the appointment of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine and expressed comprehensive support for the policy of reforms of the Ukrainian authorities, inter alia, anti-corruption measures, efficient decentralization and judicial reform based on respective constitutional amendments.

Pedro Agramunt confirmed willingness of the Council of Europe to further assist Ukraine in building a powerful democratic state and holding necessary internal transformations.

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