Ruslan Stefanchuk,

Ruslan Stefanchuk, "The Council of Europe's non-recognition of the annexation of Crimea is extremely important in the context of Russia's aggression against Ukraine"

Information Department of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Secretariat
Published on 05 November 2021, at 10:00

Chairperson of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk and the People's Deputies met with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejcinovic Buric to discuss the priorities for further deepening Ukraine's cooperation with the Council of Europe in the parliamentary dimension.

The meeting were also attended by the Head of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine Stan Nyorlov, Director of the Private Office of the Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe Miroslav Papa, Director of Political Affairs and External Relations of the Council of Europe Alexander Hessel, Deputy Director of the Secretary General's Private Office and Vice-Secretary General of the Council of Europe Gianluca Esposito and others.
The Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine stressed that the principled position of the Council of Europe on the non-recognition of the annexation of Crimea is extremely important in the context of Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
According to him, Ukraine expects to fully implement the provisions of this decision.

"I want to believe that the Council of Europe, including the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, will find opportunities to assess the human rights situation in Crimea on a regular basis in accordance with the principles and norms of international law, with full respect for Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity," said Ruslan Stefanchuk.
The Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine also thanked the European Commission "For Democracy through Law" for its expert contribution in the process of drafting bills on the most pressing issues of Ukrainian statehood.
"The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is ready to continue to actively cooperate with the Venice Commission in order to ensure compliance of Ukrainian national legislation with the best world practices and leading democratic norms and standards," he noted.
Ruslan Stefanchuk and Marija Pejcinovic Buric also paid special attention to the issue of proper protection of the rights of national minorities in Ukraine.
"A new draft law on national minorities is currently being drafted in the Parliament I am convinced that the adoption of this draft Law will help ensure the equality of rights of national minorities and indigenous Ukrainians, taking into account modern international standards," said the Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine.