Resolution of Qurultay of the Crimean Tatar People of the Fifth Convocation On the Election of the President of Ukraine

The election of the President of Ukraine is going to be held on 17 January 2010. Its result will have great influence on further development of Ukraine as well as on all its citizens. 

The future of the Crimean Tatar people – one of the indigenous peoples of Ukraine – as well as the future of the whole Ukrainian society is closely related to the democratic development perspectives of Ukrainian state. Developed Ukraine would mean that relations between state and its citizens are based on the principles of democracy and justice, real guarantee of the indispensable human rights and the rights of peoples for free development.

However, whether Ukraine will be able to take its rightful place alongside the countries of the European democracy, or will be relegated to the margins of international politics, will largely depend on the newly-elected President and the policies that will be implemented by new office.

Of course, regardless of the outcome of the upcoming presidential elections, the Crimean Tatar people and their authorized representatives – the delegates of Qurultay of the Crimean Tatar People - will continue struggling for the complete restoration of the rights of Indigenous Peoples of Crimea and provide unconditional guarantee of its future. At the same time, it is clear that the defeat of the rudiments of democracy in Ukraine, a return to authoritarian governance by the State, abandonment of the policy of European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine would lead to creation of new barriers on the way of restoration of the rights of the Crimean Tatar people. 

Realizing the measure of responsibility for the future of the Crimean Tatar people, Crimea and its inhabitants; basing on political consistency and allied relationships with national democratic forces of Ukraine that is intrinsic to the Crimean Tatar national movement; we, the delegates of Qurultay of the Crimean Tatar people appeal to our compatriots, as well as all the voters of Crimea, regardless of nationality or religion, to participate in presidential elections of Ukraine on January 17, 2010, and in the first round of voting to support the candidates who profess democratic values and ready to pursue a policy of European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine. 

Taking into consideration high probability of the second round of voting in the course of which the President of Ukraine will be elected, Qurultay of the Crimean Tatar People assign Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People to take the decision about the candidate to support, considering the results of the first round ballot and the principles mentioned above.

Adopted on the second session of Qurultay of the Crimean Tatar People of the Fifth convocation, 6 December 2009, Aqmescit (Simferopol)