Leonid Kuchma: Authorities Have to Continue Dialogue with Mejlis and Conduct it on Constant Basis

17 September 2013

The ex-President of Ukraine Mr L. Kuchma thinks that his order №518/99 on establishment of the Council of Representatives of the Crimean Tatar People at the President of Ukraine made up of all members of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People of May 18, 1999 was right and timely.

“The decision that was made at that time was absolutely right. If it (decision) existed today it could promote cooperation between the authorities and Crimean Tatars,”- Mr L. Kuchma said.

In addition, Mr L. Kuchma stated that he doesn’t know what the present President Viktor Yanukovych was based on when he reshaped the present Council of Representatives of the Crimean Tatar People that includes only eight members of the Mejlis.

“I don’t know why this decision was made, but I think that I made the right decision at that time. The authorities have to continue the dialogue with the Mejlis and it has to be conducted on a constant basis, because there is no normal life without the dialogue, as there are more than enough issues demanding solution on a highest level. When there is cooperation the relations are on absolutely other level,”- Mr L. Kuchma said.

Note: the Order of the President of Ukraine L. Kuchma №518/99 of May 18, 1999 “On the Council of Representatives of the Crimean Tatar People” established at the President of Ukraine as a consultative body in order “to solve the political and legal, social and financial, cultural and other issues relating to the adaptation and integration of the formerly deported Crimean Tatars into the Ukrainian society and undefined legal status of the Mejlis, elected by the Qurultay of the Crimean Tatar People more promptly”.

This very Order fixed the composition of the Council of Representatives of the Crimean Tatar People made up of all members of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, elected by the Qurultay of the Crimean Tatar People.