You're reading: Russian Foreign Ministry: UNESCO operations in Crimea should be held with Russian accord

UNESCO can carry out its activities in Crimea solely with Russian accord, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

“The reality is that Crimean residents showed a firm determination to
rejoin Russia upon the free declaration of will during the referendum
on March 16. This wish has been supported by Russia. That is why now any
UNESCO activities in Crimea can be held solely with Russia’s accord,”
the Russian Foreign Ministry Information and Press Department posted in a
statement on Thursday following the discussion of a decision on Crimea
by the UNESCO executive council.

A draft resolution proposed by Ukraine – on the situation in Crimea
concerning UNESCO competence – was discussed on Thursday in the
framework of the 194th UNESCO executive committee session, the Russian
Foreign Ministry said.

“The project submitted by Ukrainians is of extremely politicized
character and does not reflect the real situation at the peninsula at
all. The document not just foresees no real assistance to improve the
situation in Crimea, but on the contrary, disorients UNESCO states, thus
it is unacceptable,” the statement quoted Russian envoy Eleonora
Mitrofanova as saying during debates.

The discussion has revealed considerable difference of opinions of
UNESCO states on this regard and vote results show this, the statement
said. The United States, EU countries, Japan, South Korea and some other
countries voted for the resolution, while most African, Asian and Latin
American countries have abstained.

“China, Brazil and Cuba were opposed to the resolution together with
Russia. Six countries preferred not to participate in the vote at all,”
the Russian Foreign Ministry said.