Prime Minister condemns events in Crimea

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has condemned the events taking place in Crimea and reiterated Malta's call for the full respect of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, while at the same time calling on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, avoid any further provocative actions, and immediately diffuse the situation.
 
Addressing an extraordinary European Council summit on the situation in Crimea, the Prime Minister said Russia should act within the parameters of the 1994 Budapest memorandum of Understanding and other international agreements, emphasising that the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine are inviolable under international law.
 
The Prime Minister added that the overriding priority at this juncture should be to get the Ukrainian and Russian sides talking as soon as possible. In this respect, he welcomed ongoing diplomatic talks currently taking place between Russia and various countries, noting that the only means to find a solution to the current impasse is through dialogue.

He also announced that Malta will send two persons, the Defence Director and an AFM officer to participate in an observer mission of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to Ukraine.
 
The OSCE observer mission is deploying at the invitation of the Ukrainian government with the aim of establishing facts on ongoing military activities in Crimea.
 
With regard to the prospective Ukrainian Presidential elections in May, the Prime Minister stated that this exercise will be pivotal for the creation of a stable platform for the country's future which is inclusive of all elements of the population and their aspirations. In this respect, he stressed that a newly-elected unifying President will need to ensure the protection of minority rights and reach out to all regions in the country.
 
The Heads of State and Government attending the meeting unanimously voiced their support for Ukraine and welcomed a comprehensive financial assistance package presented by the European Commission, stating that restoring macroeconomic stability in the country is a priority. At the same time, they re-iterated the agreement reached by EU Foreign Affairs Ministers on Monday, calling for the EU to provide any further assistance possible.