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«European Union for Ukraine is a Guarantee of Its Security, Territorial Integrity and Independence, and Present Authorities Should Show Political Will to Achieve this Goal»,- Mustafa Jemilev
29 April 2013
In the framework of his working visit to Prague, the Leader of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people Mustafa Jemilev met with Prague community in “Prague Adventures Club” in the evening on April 25, 2013. The meeting was organized by the chief editor of the magazine “NAVÝCHOD” (To the East) Ivana Skalova and representative of the Center for the development and protection of human rights “East-European Program” Alzbeta Khmelarova. In 2011 the magazine “NAVÝCHOD” published the article, titled “Crimean Tatars – Special Muslims of Europe.”
Mustafa Jemilev told about the history of the Crimean Tatar people, its tragic destiny in the period of Russian and Soviet empires, about the present situation with Crimean Tatars in Ukraine, about the activity, tasks and goals of the national system Qurultay – Mejlis and answered to many questions.
In addition, the separate discussion of the coming International forum on the restoration of the rights of the Crimean Tatar people was held. According to Mejlis’ Leader M.Jemilev, the International forum under the aegis of the OSCE received an active support from the EU member-states, Canada, USA and other countries. “Today everything depends on Ukraine and I’m sure that it also has to accept the helping hand of the international community, lent to solve this problem,”- M.Jemilev stated.
The Leader of Mejlis Mustafa Jemilev stated his position on the issues, relating to the need of Ukraine’s integration to Ukraine as well and about the prospects of the signing of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement during the Eastern Partnership Summitin Vilnius in November this year.
“Without mentioning the numerous problems in Ukraine, including the Crimean Tatar national problem that should be solved by all means, the ratification of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement in November this year in Vilnius is the strategic and crucial issue first of all for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. Ukraine in the EU is the guarantee of its safety, territorial integrity and independence and the present authorities of the country should show their political will to achieve this goal,”- Mustafa Jemilev stated.
One of the participants of the meeting, scientist, historian Mikhail Lebdushka told the Leader of Mejlis and his partners about his pleasant impressions from his personal contacts with Crimean Tatars and his scientific work, titled: “Role of Islam in the society of modern Crimean Tatars” that he defended recently. He called the nationals to show their solidarity in the issue of revival of Crimean Tatars – one of the eastern European peoples that suffered the tragedy from the Communist regime in the 20th century.
In conclusion of the meeting, initiated by the Head of the Association of Crimean Tatars in Kyiv Aslan Omer Qirimli and delegate of Qurultay of the Crimean Tatar people Rustem Umerov and held in compliance with the national Crimean Tatar traditions the agreement was reached with the Chief Editor of the magazine “NAVÝCHOD” Ivana Skálová to make a special issue of the magazine, dedicated to Crimean Tatar national problem.
Note: “NAVÝCHOD” magazine (To the East) was founded in 2001 by 5 students of the Institute of Slavic and Eastern-European researches, Charles University in Prague – Ivana Skálová, John Kravčík, Yveta Kenety, Agnes Kindlerová and Radek Novak. The magazine covers the development of the Central and Eastern European countries, Balkans, Baltic countries, Caucasus and Central Asia. The main goal of “Navýchod” magazine is to promote and broaden knowledge about the regions mentioned.
The magazine informs about the social events, politics, culture, history, religion and customs, and tells about the adventures, the peculiarities of the national cuisine of various countries and people’s everyday problems.
