Ukraine was and will remain a maritime state, despite the aggression of Russia and the annexation of part of Ukraine's territory - President
12.02.2019 19:00 | Press office of President
President Petro Poroshenko emphasizes that the status of Ukraine as a maritime state will be preserved, despite the Russian aggression against our state and the annexation of the Crimean peninsula.
"Russian annexation of Crimea, aggression against our state in the east, occupation of Donbas or aggression against the naval forces of Ukraine in the Kerch Strait and the Black Sea will definitely not change the status of Ukraine as a maritime state, because our presence at sea is crucial. Therefore, it is extremely important for me to meet with like-minded people who are implementing this interest," the Head of State said during the expanded meeting on the development of the maritime economy of Ukraine within his working visit to Odesa region.
"I emphasize - we will not allow the occupation of the Sea of Azov. We will not allow the occupation of the Kerch Strait. We will ensure the implementation of bilateral agreements and international conventions on navigation, including in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. We will provide guarantees of security and protection of Ukraine"s national interests," Petro Poroshenko emphasized.
“Ukraine"s accession to NATO may ensure such guarantees when the international security system will protect the national interests of Ukraine. Everything done is part of the strategic plan of my team aimed at joining the EU and NATO," he said.
"Our ambitious goal is to turn Ukraine into a great power, a regional leader, an integral part of European civilization and a cornerstone of the security of the European continent," the Head of State stressed.
"Our plan is working and the worst tests are left behind. And the time has come for the success of the strategy to be felt by every Ukrainian with his heart and with his wallet. For this end, we have made reforms to protect the country and overcome poverty," Petro Poroshenko added.
In this context, the President expressed conviction that the decision to consolidate the aspirations of Ukraine"s accession to the EU and NATO in the Constitution is of special importance for the Danube region. "The Danube region is one of the most oriented for cooperation with the EU. This is also a region whose development directly depends on the development of navigation," he said.
Petro Poroshenko stressed the importance of preserving, restoring and developing the status of Izmail as the sea gate of Ukraine.
In the context of the development of the maritime economy, the President focused on the safety of navigation and assured that Ukraine would do everything in its power to ensure it. "The sea route is attractive when it is safe. Therefore, Ukraine will do everything necessary to ensure national security on the sea routes. We will develop and strengthen the Naval Forces, we will build partnership with NATO, we will not allow Russia to oust Ukraine from the Black Sea," he said.
"I want to emphasize that due to the strengthening of the Naval Forces, Ukraine has become a significant contributor to the security of the entire Eastern Mediterranean, together with our North Atlantic Alliance partners. We are able to withstand the threats. We are able to withstand other crisis phenomena in this region, primarily created by the Russian Federation," Petro Poroshenko added and recalled that such an experience of partnership in the security sphere is very positive.