The French Foreign Ministry condemned French Parliament's intention to visit Crimea
Paris called the French Parliament’s intention to visit the occupied Crimea an “illegal initiative” which has “nothing to do with the position of the French Foreign Ministry, the European Union or the entire international community.” This was stated by the French Foreign Ministry spokesman, Romain Nadal, UKRINFORM reports.
“The French position is clear and consistent: together with the European Union and the entire international community, France does not recognize the illegal annexation of the Crimea. Any initiatives that differ from this position should be condemned and have no relation to the French authorities,” the French diplomat said.
A visit by the French parliamentarian delegation to the occupied Crimea in the near future was announced in the State Duma of the Russian Federation.
The group of French deputies, led by Thierry Mariani, visited the annexed Crimea in the second half of July last year. The trip was met with disapproval from the Foreign Ministry of France and the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine.
The main part of the French delegation consisted of deputies from the Republican party of former President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy. The SBU (Security Service of Ukraine) banned entry into Ukraine to all French deputies who traveled to the Crimea.