«We Hope that Crimean Tatars’ Problems will be Solved in Cooperation with International Organizations, Society and Government of Ukraine,»- Ambassador Teixeira

05 October 2011

Head of the European Commission in Ukraine Mr. Jose Manuel Pinto Teixeira considers that for 20 years of Ukraine’s independence the country still has many unsolved problems, related to the Crimean Tatar people.

“We hope that problems of Crimean Tatars will be solved in cooperation with the international organizations, society and Government of Ukraine,”- said ambassador Teixeira in conclusion of the meeting between the leaders of Mejlis and heads of the diplomatic missions and international organizations, accredited in Ukraine, held on October 5, 2011 in the framework of preparation of the international forum on restoration of the rights of the Crimean Tatar people.

Mr. Teixeira is convinced that the topic of the meeting between the leaders of Mejlis and heads of the diplomatic missions and international organizations, accredited in Ukraine, discussed with great interest among all its participants, is very timely and long-standing. “The issues, related to the rights of the minorities are among one of the priority values, and saying about the destiny of the Crimean Tatar people, we recall that this people suffered from the Soviet regime – it was forcible deported from its native land and we have heard from our partners that Crimean Tatar issues was never resolved for 20 years of Ukraine’s independence”.

The Head of the European Commission in Ukraine Mr. Jose Manuel Pinto Teixeira is convinced that one of the main points of the process of adoption of the decision on Crimean Tatar problem will be the visit of the OCSE High Commissioner Mr. Knut Vollebaek. “Within the next few days the High Commissioner is to visit Ukraine and Crimea, in particular, to hold a range of the official meetings with Crimean authorities and, of course, with the representatives of the Crimean Tatar people,”- Mr. Teixeira said.