Minister Semerak: 131 Ukrainian subsoil licenses operating in Crimea
"When we talk about special permits (someone call them licenses) to use subsoil resources, I would like to mention that 131 Ukrainian licenses are valid in Crimea, 7 licenses - in the waters and on the shelf of the Sea of Azov, 16 licenses – on the Black Sea shelf," Ecology and Natural Resources Minister of Ukraine Ostap Semerak said on the air of 112 Ukraine TV channel, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
As the minister stressed, it is currently difficult to understand how many licenses in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov fall under the so-called law of the Russian de facto authorities in Crimea, which allegedly repeals Ukrainian subsoil licenses.
"In any case, it [Russia’s law] is the illegal seizure of Ukraine's property as, according to the Constitution of Ukraine, everything in Ukrainian soil is the property of Ukraine," Semerak said, adding that cancellation of licenses only "specify the responsibility" of Russians for Crimea’s annexation.
As reported, a law came into force in the Russian Federation providing for the alleged cancellation of Ukrainian subsoil licenses in the annexed Crimea and the introduction of new registration procedure.
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