Chairman of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People Mustafa Jemilev Met With Minister of Foreign Affairs of Czech Republic Karel Schwarzenberg

10 October 2011

On October 8, 2011 the Chairman of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people Mustafa Jemilev, invited to Prague by the President of the Czech Republic (1993-2003), human rights advocate Vaclav Havel to take part at the work of the 15th International Conference Forum 2000, met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Czech Republic Karel Schwarzenberg.

During the business dinner, held in one of the ancient Prague cafes Mustafa Jemilev and Karel Schwarzenberg exchanged opinions on the issues of the social and political situation in Ukraine and situation with the Crimean Tatar people, the parties also discussed the possibilities of the implementation of Mejlis’ initiative of preparation and carrying out of the International Forum on the restoration of the rights of the Crimean Tatar people to their homeland, its security and guarantees of development in Ukraine.

“Ukrainian state and the Crimean Tatar people need the urgent assistance of the international community,”- Chairman of Mejlis Mustafa Jemilev noted, telling the Head of the foreign-policy department of the Czech Republic Karel Schwarzenberg about the stages of preparation to the International Forum.

The Chairman of Mejlis noted with satisfaction that during the meeting, held on October 5, 2011 in Kyiv between the leaders of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people and heads of diplomatic missions and representations of the international organizations accredited in Ukraine, all its participants supported the significance of providing of the international assistance to Ukraine and the Crimean Tatar people in overcoming of the consequences of deportation and decades of the repressive policy of the USSR against the Crimean Tatar people and supported an idea of carrying out of the International Forum on the restoration of the rights of the Crimean Tatar people to their homeland, its security and guarantees of development in Ukraine.

At this Mustafa Jemilev thanked his partner for the definite and clear position of the Czech Republic taken during the mentioned above meeting by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic to Ukraine Ivan Pochuh.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Karel Schwarzenberg, evaluating the significant volume of work made on the way to formation of the concept of the International Forum and thus, noting the positive trend of the process of preparation, asked about the position of Ukrainian authorities concerning such necessary event.

The Chairman of Mejlis Mustafa Jemilev noted that Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people sent proposals to the supreme state officials of Ukraine concerning the International Forum, but still had no “clear reaction or official position concerning this issue”.

According to Karel Schwarzenberg, despite the respect to the politicians and diplomats of the world who already spoke or will speak in support of the International Forum Crimean Tatars have to rely on their activity and adherence to the principles of non-violent struggle on their way to restoration of the rights of their people, due to which the Crimean Tatar national movement is held in respect all around the world.

Touching upon the topic of the interrelations between the level of democracy and economic development of the society and wellbeing of people, the parties discussed the questions, aimed at activization of business cooperation between Crimean and Czech businessmen.

At this the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Karel Schwarzenberg informed about the readiness to promote to the organization of an introductory visit of the representatives of business circles of Crimea to the Czech Republic.

As one of the forms of development and strengthening of mutual cooperation Mustafa Jemilev and Karel Schwarzenberg noted the significance of implementation of various educational and youth programs allowing Crimean youth to receive European education and improve one’s professional skills in EU member countries, as well as to receive Czech students in Crimea.

In conclusion of the friendly talk Mustafa Jemilev noted that he couldn’t help being impressed by the very place of their meeting – “a public place where the presence of the minister do not require the presence of bodyguards and every visitor could easily approach and greet his minister”. Karel Schwarzenberg responded that unfortunately “the power often weakens wise people” then he added that if he had no possibility to communicate easily with the citizens of his country and have a glass of wine in fine cafes of Czech Republic he would leave his post.

In conclusion of the meeting Mustafa Jemilev gave Karel Schwarzenberg a symbolic present – a tie, depicting Crimean Tatar symbol “tamga” and literature about the Crimean Tatar people. Taking them the Minister said: “I hope that I could bring honor to such ancient and high sign as tamga”.