The Council of the European Union has said non-recognition policy on the illegal annexation of Crimea are fundamental to the EU's approach to regional cooperation in the Black Sea area.
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"The Council remains concerned about the security challenges in the Black Sea area. In this context, the Council reiterates that respect for international law, including the principles of independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, including freedom of navigation, as well as EU policy decisions and its non-recognition policy on the illegal annexation of Crimea are fundamental to the EU's approach to regional cooperation in the Black Sea area," according to the Council Conclusions on the EU's engagement to the Black Sea regional cooperation as adopted by the Council (Foreign Affairs) on June 17, 2019.
The Council also reaffirms its long-standing commitment to fostering prosperity, stability and resilience in the Black Sea area.
"The Council emphasises the increasing strategic importance of the Black Sea area for the EU and calls for enhanced engagement to the regional cooperation there, in line with the principles of the EU Global Strategy and the revised European Neighbourhood Policy. In particular, it highlights the importance of harnessing the new opportunities for economic development, resilience and connectivity in the region and beyond," the document says.
