On June 25^th, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andris Sybiha took part in the Third International Forum of the Expert`s Network of the Crimea Platform. The expert network is a component of the International Crimea Platform — an international consultative mechanism aimed at the de-occupation and reintegration of Crimea, as well as the restoration of the rights of the indigenous peoples of the peninsula.

Specialists from leading Ukrainian expert centers and non-governmental organizations, experts from foreign analytical centers, Ukrainian civil servants and representatives of the diplomatic corps were among the event’s participants.

In his speech, Andrii Sybiha noted the importance of the effective work of the ICP Expert`s Network for raising the level of awareness of the world community regarding the current state of events in Crimea, as well as the development of practical recommendations for making strategic decisions at the national level in order to neutralize threats to the national security of the state caused by Russia's ongoing occupation of the territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.

He emphasized the priority of the presence of the topic of de-occupation and reintegration of Crimea on international discussion platforms, increased attention to human rights issues and the release of all persons, in particular Crimean Tatars, illegally detained by the occupation authorities of the Russian Federation for political reasons.

First Deputy Minister expressed confidence that the achievement of synergy in the work of representatives of expert environment and government officials would bring closer the restoration of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and bringing back of all temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, their reintegration and post-war reconstruction.

For reference: The Expert Network is an integral part of the International Crimean Platform, an international advisory mechanism aimed at de-occupation and reintegration of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, as well as restoration of the rights of the indigenous peoples of the peninsula.