NATO: referendum in Crimea would violate international law March 14, 2014 - 23:29 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said on Friday, March 14, a planned referendum in Ukraine's Crimea region would violate international law and lack legitimacy, Reuters reports. Moscow shipped more troops and armor into Crimea on Friday and repeated its threat to invade other parts of Ukraine in response to violence in Donetsk on Thursday night, showing no sign of bowing to Western demands to pull back. Crimea's parliament has voted to join Russia and has set a referendum on the decision for Sunday. "The so-called referendum ... would be a direct violation of the Ukrainian constitution and international law. If held, it would have no legal effect or political legitimacy," Rasmussen said in a statement. "Holding this referendum would undermine international efforts to find a peaceful and political solution to the crisis in Ukraine," he said, according to Reuters. Rasmussen issued the statement after ambassadors from Russia and Ukraine took part in a 50-nation meeting at NATO headquarters to discuss the crisis. Ukraine asked for the extraordinary meeting of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, a forum that includes the 28 NATO allies and 22 other countries from Europe and central Asia. Rasmussen urged Russia to act responsibly and to uphold its obligations under international law. "Dialogue and negotiations should be given a chance to succeed in bringing about a de-escalation of the situation and a political solution," he said. A NATO official said the overwhelming majority of countries represented at the meeting expressed solidarity with Ukraine and support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Moscow's Ambassador to NATO, Alexander Grushko, defended Russia's actions, the official said. Related links:   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news Former Pashinyan envoy urges end to Genocide speculation  Marukyan has urged authorities in Armenia stop discussions about verifying the names of 1.5 million victims.First Canadian expert join EU mission in Armenia The first Canadian expert to join the European Union’s civilian mission in Armenia has arrived in Armenia.Armenian cemetery in Fresno hit by arsons six times since January Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance.Iran vows to “decisively” defend sovereignty, national interests The Iranian embassy in Armenia has defended its “defensive and proportional action in in occupied Palestine.” |
