12:11 01.02.2021

France ready to join Crimean Platform – ambassador

2 min read
France ready to join Crimean Platform – ambassador

France is ready to join the Crimean Platform, but there is a need to clarify its purpose, said French Ambassador to Ukraine Etienne de Poncins.

"It is a very interesting initiative. We of course are looking at it with great interest. We interacted with the deputy minister of Foreign affairs in charge Emine Dzhaparova. There are contacts between two ministries and we will have more, that is for sure because we have never recognized the situation in Crimea. We are also in contact with our EU colleagues on this issue and we are coordinating with them. It is something that we closely monitor from diplomatic point of view," de Poncins said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.
At the same time, the French ambassador pointed out the need to clarify the purpose of this initiative.
"For the moment, we are in a very preliminary phase. I have met Mrs. Dzhaparova several times, they've produced some ground papers about this initiative. So, they're under consideration in Paris and in Brussels. But it's not clear exactly at this very moment what is the purpose of this platform. My understanding is that it is a platform for discussion about political situation in Crimea. This is useful but for what purpose - it remains to be seen. In principle we are supportive and to answer your question - yes, we will join it. But there's some need for clarification, obviously. The launch of this platform is supposed to take place on 23rd of August so we have some time," he said.

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