Published: 23.10.2024.
Foreign policy Edgars Rinkēvičs
23.10.2024. Valsts prezidenta Edgara Rinkēviča uzruna Starptautiskās Krimas platformas trešā parlamentārā samita oficiālajās vakariņās Rīgas pilī.

On 23 October, President Edgars Rinkēvičs welcomed at the Riga Castle the participants of the Third Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform, including the Speakers of the Parliaments of Albania, Austria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Northern Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland, Tonga, and Ukraine.

In the first half of the day, President Edgars Rinkēvičs met with the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk to discuss support for Ukraine and issues related to the International Crimea Platform Parliamentary Summit. During the meeting, E. Rinkēvičs confirmed Latvia's commitment to continue all forms of support to Ukraine, including Euro-Atlantic integration and the energy sector, in preparation for the winter.

In his meeting with the participants of the Summit, President Edgars Rinkēvičs emphasised that the de-occupation of the Crimean Peninsula is an integral part of the process of ending the war and securing peace. The President of Latvia also stated that Latvia would never recognise the illegally annexed territories of Ukraine. "The Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol, along with other temporarily occupied territories, are part of the sovereign and territorially indivisible Ukrainian state," said President Rinkēvičs. The text of President Rinkēvičs' address can be found below.

For information:

In order to raise awareness and support of the international community for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, the Third Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform will take place in Riga on 24 October. Delegations from around 40 countries and representatives of five international organisations will participate.

The International Crimea Platform was established in 2021 as a format for coordination and consultations at the level of states and governments, parliaments, foreign ministers, and experts. Hosting the International Crimea Platform Parliamentary Summit in Riga is part of Latvia’s comprehensive support to Ukraine and contribution to strengthening the rules-based international order. The event is organised by the Saeima in close cooperation with the Parliament of Ukraine – the Verkhovna Rada.

23.10.2024. Valsts prezidenta Edgara Rinkēviča uzruna Starptautiskās Krimas platformas trešā parlamentārā samita oficiālajās vakariņās Rīgas pilī

Address by President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs at the official dinner of the Third Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform at the Riga Castle

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great honour for me to welcome you to Riga Castle.

We are here for the third Parliamentary Summit to support Ukraine in its ongoing fight for freedom and democracy - in its fight against the aggressor, Russia.

For more than two years, Ukraine has burned in the flames of a brutal war of aggression. However, the attack on Ukraine began back in February 2014 when Russia launched deliberate and illegal military operations in Ukraine to change the borders of a free and sovereign neighbouring country, and when Crimea, which belongs to Ukraine, became occupied.

Crimea is at the centre of Russia's aggression and was the starting point of its aggression. The aggression against Ukraine will have ended only after the liberation and de-occupation of Crimea.

The International Crimea Platform unites countries in a shared effort to resist Russia's attempts to dismantle the rules-based international order. It reminds us and the world of the violations committed by Russia, and the global threat it poses. It reminds us that Crimea is Ukraine!

Your Excellencies,

The story of Crimea represents more than an illustration of Russia's brutal aggression. It is a testament to the resilience and vitality of the Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars.

The history of the Crimean Peninsula and its people is a harsh one. The crimes committed by the Soviet authorities against the Ukrainian people and the Crimean Tatars constitute international genocide.

Unfortunately, history is repeating itself. Today, the Crimean Tatars continue to endure repression and unimaginable cruelty.

It is therefore especially important that the International Crimea Platform Summit prioritises the individual and their right to live in dignity in a free country - human beings free to live in their own country without fear of war, deportation, repression.

I would like to direct your attention to one of our guests this evening - Mr Nariman Dzhelyal, Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people. Mr Dzhelyal was released in June, after nearly three years in captivity. We must also stand up for the release of the other Crimean Tatars held illegally in captivity.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We must believe in Ukraine's victory over evil! We must not stand idly by and watch as this large aggressor attempts to destroy a smaller neighbouring country!

Latvia's support to Ukraine has been unwavering and indisputable. Not only now, as Ukraine faces full-scale Russian aggression, but from 2014 onwards.

Latvia will never recognise the illegally annexed territories of Ukraine. The Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol, along with other temporarily occupied territories, are part of the sovereign and territorially indivisible Ukrainian state.

The de-occupation of the Crimean Peninsula is a crucial step in the process of ending the war and securing peace.

Crimea is Ukraine!

Thank you!