Within the framework of his visit to the French Republic, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Andriy Parubiy, met with President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Pedro Agramunt on Friday.
During the meeting, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada handed over a note of protest from the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Ukraine as to non-recognition of elections to the State Duma (the Parliament of the Russian Federation) to be held in the Russia-annexed Crimea.
Mr. Agramunt said PACE observers will not take part in the election as Russia had not invited them in view of non-participation in the PACE meetings.
At the same time, he said that the OSCE Mission will be able to provide certain information.
The PACE President assured that their strong position on the Crimean issue will not change and again expressed support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Parubiy noted that the occupation of Crimea violates the terms of the international law, thus, there will have to be a tough response to such actions.
"If the aggressor does not receive any appropriate response, it understands it can continue acting in its improper way ever after," he said.
Mr. Agramunt informed about his plans to pay a visit to Ukraine at the earliest possible time.
