EU, Japan will never recognize illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia – joint statement

16:41, 29.05.2015 1 min read

The European Union and Japan have agreed to never recognize Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea.

This is according to a press statement released at a joint summit in Tokyo on May 29.

"We remain determined never to recognize the illegal annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, and will continue to support the government of Ukraine to advance its reforms, aimed at strengthening and modernizing Ukraine for the benefit of its citizens," reads the statement.

The EU and Japan called on all sides involved in the conflict in eastern Ukraine "to fully implement their commitments under the Minsk agreements to solve the conflict in Ukraine peacefully, respecting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

The EU and Japan also agreed to continue to coordinate their policies on exploring new opportunities for cooperation aimed at modernizing countries as part of the EU's Eastern Partnership, including in the Western Balkans and the Black Sea region.