Ukrainian companies have filed six lawsuits against Russia because of the occupation of Crimea / facebook.com/UkraineMFA
Ukrainian companies have already filed six lawsuits against Russia, now pending in the Court of Arbitration in The Hague, regarding protection of their property in the occupied Crimea, Deputy Foreign Minister for European Integration Olena Zerkal has said in an interview with ZN.UA.
The lawsuits were filed based on the Ukrainian-Russian intergovernmental agreement on encouragement and mutual protection of investments.
The Deputy Minister elaborated that the claims have already been filed by Privatbank, Ukrnafta, airport Belbek, Stabil, Everest Estate, and Oschadbank.
Naftogaz, as well as the other companies, is now at a preparation stage, including involving legal advisers to initially avoid mistakes in the formation of their positions.
Read alsoCrimea Blackout: approximate damage from energy blockade announcedThe Ukrainian companies can substantiate their claim for protection of property in Crimea with the fact that, firstly, they were deprived of access to property and, secondly, they were deprived of the opportunity to profit from the use of this property. After all, in most cases, their assets were simply stolen, Zerkal said.
Earlier, Ukraine Justice Minister Pavlo Petrenko said that ordinary Ukrainians were massively turning to international courts in connection with the occupation of Crimea. For example, more than 70 citizens of Ukraine have already filed cases in the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
Read alsoUkraine to lodge claim against Russia with International Court of JusticeAccording to the minister, the total amount of Ukraine’s damage caused by the annexation of Crimea by Russia is UAH 1.08 trillion, that’s excluding the cost of natural resources and lost profit. Zerkal stressed that this amount may not be final.