EU declares at UN: Russia's occupation of Crimea threatens international security

Russia's occupation of Crimea remains a direct challenge to international security, with grave implications for the international legal order that protects the unity and sovereignty of all States.

This was said in a joint explanation of vote by EU Member States and aligned countries on the inclusion of an item "The situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine" into 76th UNGA session agenda.

Anita Pipan, Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the United Nations Office at Geneva, announced the statement at a meeting of the UN General Assembly on September 9.

“The European Union reaffirms its resolute support to Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. We reiterate that we do not recognise and continue to condemn the illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol by the Russian Federation, which is a violation of international law,” the document reads.

The EU continues to call for full compliance with international human rights standards in the Crimean peninsula. All pending cases of human rights violations and abuses, such as enforced disappearances, torture and killings should be thoroughly investigated. International human rights observers must be granted full, free and unhindered access to the whole territory of Ukraine, including in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.

The EU stressed the importance of enhancing negotiating efforts aimed at sustainable and peaceful resolution of the conflict in view of the full implementation of the Minsk agreements by all sides and of measures aimed at rebuilding confidence while underlining the responsibility of the Russian Federation in this regard.

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