REUTERS

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has called on France to respond to the illegal visit of a delegation of French deputies of the European Parliament to the Russian-occupied Crimea.

This was discussed at today's meeting between Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Emine Dzhaparova and French Ambassador Etienne de Poncins, MFA's press service told UNIAN.

Parties discussed priorities of cooperation in protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, issues of strengthening international efforts to deoccupy Crimea, as well as violations of human rights in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and strengthening security in the Black Sea and Sea of ​​Azov.

Видео дня

Read alsoWhatsApp leak exposes Russia link to Dutch far right

Also, the interlocutors emphasized the importance of further cooperation toward effectively countering the attempts by Russia to spread anti-Ukrainian misinformation that threaten the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

The first deputy minister drew the ambassador's attention to the inadmissibility of contacts of French citizens with representatives of the occupation administration of the Russian Federation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

In this regard, Dzhaparova asked the envoy to deliver an official reaction to the illegal visit of the delegation of the French deputies of the European Parliament, led by Thierry Mariani, to Crimea (June 30-July 2).

In turn, de Poncins confirmed the unwavering stance of his country in supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, including in the framework of the UN and other international organizations, and assured that he would convey to the French Foreign Ministry Dhzaparova's appeals regarding the visit of French deputies to Crimea.

Also, the first deputy minister noted the illegality of Russian occupation administration setting up a "vote" on amendments to the Russian Constitution in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine in Donetsk and Luhansk regions and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol, just as any other "referenda" and "voting" in the occupied territories of Ukraine.

At the same time, the parties exchanged views on the preparation of future bilateral political contacts, in particular, the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Kyiv at the invitation of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.

Also, Dzhaparova and de Poncins agreed to intensify trade, economic and investment cooperation, and to implement joint projects.

Read alsoNo amendments to Russian Constitution can prevent Crimea de-occupation – Ukraine's FM

The interest was confirmed to hold a meeting of the bilateral economic commission as soon as the epidemiological situation allows.

Dzhaparova thanked for France's assistance in the socio-economic recovery of the eastern regions of Ukraine affected by Russian aggression.

In addition, the first deputy foreign minister asked the French side to consider providing assistance to the regions of Ukraine suffering from severe flooding.

The French diplomat praised Ukraine's accession to the Biarritz Partnership international initiative to promote the equality of women and men, launched by the G7 countries under the chairmanship of Emmanuel Macron.