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События и комментарии экспертов фонда

| 17 марта, 2014

The referendum in the Crimea is a ‘Standard of Democracy’. Recognition of the referendum by the USA and the EU is not required.Commentary.

On 16th March Sergei Zheleznyak, Deputy Secretary of the General Council of United Russia and Deputy Speaker of the State Duma announced that the referendum in the Crimea ‘can be called a standard of democracy.’ According to Zheleznyak the referendum is a standard of democratic procedures and should be seen as a reference point for everyone concerned.

In an interview with United Russia’s press service, Zhelezyak insisted that ‘a dialogue with colleagues in Europe must be continued’ and added: ‘they are experiencing a lack of real facts. They need information. There are still no serious Russian experts in the West. The threat of sanctions is associated with a small group of people who do not enjoy the support of the majority of people in our country.’

Moreover, Konstantin Kostin, Chairman of the Foundation for Civil Society Development (FCSD) announced in an interview with Life News that recognition by the USA and the EU of the referendum in Crimea is simply not required. ‘I have read and heard a great deal about how the USA or the European Union, refuse to recognise the results of the referendum, and frankly, I’m surprised at this disregard for international law. The first article of the UN Charter states that all peoples have the right to self-determination, so recognition of the referendum is not actually required. One can follow the results of a referendum in international politics but one cannot announce whether or not they are “recognised” or not. A vote on what the people want has taken place and these are the results.’