Dmytro Razumkov: I am grateful to Latvia for the stable position we observe in relation to the Ukrainian Crimea

Information Department of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Secretariat
Published on 17 May 2021, at 19:30

Chairperson of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Dmytro Razumkov discussed with Speaker of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia Inara Murniece the issues of struggle for territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, observance of human rights and freedoms in the temporarily occupied Crimea and an active dialogue of friendship groups between the Parliaments of the two countries.

The Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament noted that Latvia demonstrates constant support for the territorial integrity, as well as Ukraine's European integration and Euro-Atlantic aspirations on various international platforms.

"The process of joining the EU and NATO is not fast, but we have made our choice, for which we pay a very high price. Unfortunately, we continue to pay it today. Part of the territory is occupied, and our citizens are dying on the front-line," he said.

Dmytro Razumkov thanked the Latvian Saeima and personally the Speaker Inari Murniece for recognizing the deportation of the Crimean Tatar people as genocide. "I am grateful for the stable principled position we observe in relation to the Ukrainian Crimea, the situation around the Crimean Tatar people and the violation of human rights in the temporarily occupied territories of Crimea and Donbas," he said.

The issue of Inter-Parliamentary relations between Ukraine and Latvia was also discussed during the meeting.

According to the Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada, the cooperation between the Parliaments of both countries is quite effective, in particular, at the level of Inter-Parliamentary friendship groups.

The parties discussed the construction of the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline. The Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada reiterated that this project is not economic but political. "The Russian Federation has repeatedly used Nord Stream-2 as a mechanism of influence and pressure not only on Ukraine but also on other European Union countries," said Dmytro Razumkov.

Speaker of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia Inara Murniece, for her part, stressed the support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. She stressed that Latvia is closely monitoring the development of the security situation and strongly condemns Russia's provocative actions in eastern Ukraine and the Black Sea region, which are aimed at destabilizing the situation.