Opening of the Second Black Sea Security Conference of the International Crimea Platform
The Second Black Sea Security Conference of the International Crimea Platform began today in Sofia, Bulgaria, where participants will analyze the impact of Russian aggression on the security situation in the Black Sea-Azov region and beyond, discuss strategies for responding to existing threats, and prospects for regional security. Implementing the Ukrainian Peace Formula will also be a key issue discussed.
During the opening of the conference, Alina Frolova, Deputy Chairperson of the Centre for Defence Strategies, Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine (2019-2020); Iryna Borovets, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine; Gergana Karadzhova, Director General of General Directorate Political Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria, Tamila Tasheva, Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, addressed the participants.
“The main goal of the Second Black Sea Security Conference is to make it clear: we are running out of time. All Ukrainians feel it every day, with every enemy shot. We want all governments and all our partners to understand that it is time to unite for the sake of common security,” Alina Frolova mentioned.
In a video address, Iryna Borovets addressed the conference participants and emphasized Russia’s environmental crimes:
“Environmental crimes have no borders. The world must unite to prevent the largest ecocide in human history. Ukraine’s victory in the war with Russia is the only way to ensure security not only in the Black Sea but also in the whole world.”
During the opening of the Second Black Sea Security Conference of the International Crimea Platform, Gergana Karadzhova emphasized:
“We therefore have to continue supporting Ukraine in its effort to restore its territorial integrity and ensure that Russia’s aggression fails. Bulgaria is committed to supporting Ukraine through military, financial, and humanitarian means and contributes to the efforts of other allies and a large group of like-minded partners to provide security in the Black Sea, reestablish peace and restore freedom of navigation.”
In her speech, Tamila Tasheva underlined that ten years ago, Russia began a temporary occupation of part of Ukrainian territory, including the Crimean peninsula, and established control over almost the entire Black Sea and Azov region:
“The international community’s inadequate response in 2014 contributed to the aggressor state’s further attack in 2022. Russia has launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine, using, among other things, the previously occupied Crimea as a military base.”
During her speech, Tamila Tasheva highlighted the resistance shown by Ukrainian citizens residing in Crimea against the occupation regime. She reiterated the criminal actions of the occupiers, who regularly violated human rights, including those of the indigenous people of Ukraine. Tasheva urged the international community to strengthen their support towards Ukraine, emphasizing the need to liberate all occupied territories of Ukraine, including Crimea. She also stressed the importance of involving key countries in the region and Europe to restore security.