Below is an article published by the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People:

On August 11, 2011 the President of the World Congress of Crimean Tatars, Fist Deputy Chairman of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people Refat Chubarov met with the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine, Ambassador José Manuel Pinto Teixeira in Bakhchisaray.

The meeting was also attended by the Head of the projects of the local and regional development of the Delegation of the EU in Ukraine Enzo Damiani and Head of Foreign relations department of Mejlis Ali Khamzin.

The meeting was dedicated to the issues, related to preparation of the International Forum on restoration of the rights of the Crimean Tatar people on their native land, securing their safety and guaranties of development in Ukraine.

The Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine, Ambassador José Manuel Pinto Teixeira noted that this meeting with Mejlis’ leaders was called forth by the order of the President of the European Parliament Mr. Jerzy Buzek in response to the letter of the Chairman of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people addressed to him and MEPs. The letter told about the modern situation of the Crimean Tatar people and reasoned the necessity of carrying out in the nearest future of the International Forum on restoration of the rights of the Crimean Tatar people on their native land, securing their safety and guaranties of development in Ukraine.

Refat Chubarov, stating the position of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people concerning the issues, related to preparation and carrying out of the International Forum, expressed his hope that “Ukrainian authorities will decide positively on the necessity of carrying out of the International Forum, because it is evident that the further delay both of the issues of the social-economic resettlement of Crimean Tatars, as well as preserving of the legal uncertainty in the issues of restoration of the rights of the Crimean Tatar people does not correspond to the declared aspirations of Ukraine to integrate to the EU”.

Among the other issues the parties also discussed the events, related to the social-political situation in Crimea and Ukraine. At this, Refat Chubarov informed the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine, Ambassador José Manuel Pinto Teixeira about the latest decisions of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, including the statement concerning taking into custody of the leader of the political party “Batkivschina” Yulia Timoshenko.

The parties highly appreciated their constant meetings and consultations between Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people and Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine on solution of the issues that called to promote the democratic development of the society and restoration of the rights of the Crimean Tatar people and expressed their wish to continue them in the future.