A statement of the network on ratification by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Agreement on the extension of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation in the Crimea

On April 27, 2010, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the Law of Ukraine “On Ratification of the Agreement between Ukraine and the Russian Federation on the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation in the territory of Ukraine”.

The reform support network expresses deep concern for the content of the agreement and the way it was adopted and ratified.
In particular, network representatives pay attention to the following aspects:

1. The preparation of an interstate agreement was in a way that does not correspond to democratic traditions and principles. In fact, the decision on a socially important problem was not made publicly, without prior publication of the main provisions of the Agreement and in the absence of discussions and taking into account the positions of Ukrainian citizens.
2. Ratification of the Agreement sets dangerous potential for further internal confrontation and polarization of the population of Ukraine, since it is acutely conflict in terms of different territorial and political social groups.
3. There are no official expert opinions on the consequences, economic and political expediency of the agreement. The authorities were voiced only potentially possible income from the agreement, while information about the inevitable losses is silenced, including: deterioration of the investment attractiveness of the region, the inability to develop its infrastructure in the future, further deterioration of the ecological status of the ecosystems of the peninsula.
4. A dangerous precedent of combining military-political and economic issues and making important socio-political decisions was created, based on situational economic interests.
5. Due to the significant public resonance and the high conflict of the issue, there is a danger of future denomination of the ratified agreement by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, which will lead to the creation of a negative image of Ukraine in the international arena, as a country that does not meet the obligations.
6. Signing and ratification of the Agreement creates additional risks to the Ukrainian economy due to possible mass protests of economic and political order.
7. The ratification of the agreement occurred with a significant violation of the Regulation. At the meeting on April 27, 2010, more deputies voted for ratification than it was registered. The fact of voting of deputies who were abroad or non -participation was publicly recorded is documented.

In connection with the signing of the Agreement, the reform support network:

1. Publicly appeals to the President of Ukraine and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to provide a wide range of public to familiarize all documents concerning the agreements of Ukraine and the Russian Federation on the conditions of stay of the Black Sea Federation.
2. Requires from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine providing full information on the process of preparation of the agreement, availability of expert and legal conclusions.
3. Invites the People’s Deputies of Ukraine to apply to the Constitutional Court to clarify Art. 17 of the Constitution of Ukraine and its transitional provisions to avoid double interpretations.
4. Offers to the People’s Deputies of Ukraine in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine the Minister of Foreign Affairs on the implementation of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation of conditions of dislocation, movement and conduct of economic and economic activity.
5. Offers to the People’s Deputies of Ukraine in the Verkhovna Rada of the Minister of Defense of Ukraine on the state of financing and the Program of development of the Navy of Ukraine.
The reform support network also proposes to the leading public and expert organizations of Ukraine with joint efforts to prepare an analytical report under the working name “Security, foreign policy and socio-economic risks for Ukraine in the conditions of stay in its territory of foreign military formations”.

We emphasize that this issue has an extraordinary socio-political weight and requires the widest possible public discussion, aimed primarily at the achievement of a public consensus on this issue, as well as-to unite society for the formation of a well-balanced and objective view of the situation, as opposed to the development of the presentation.

Published on April 28, 2010 on behalf of:

Laboratories of legislative initiatives

Center for Political Analysis and Electoral Consulting (Lutsk)

Donetsk Regional Branch of NGO “Committee of Voters of Ukraine”

Center for Regional Policy Research (Sumy)

Lviv Regional Organization “Committee of Voters of Ukraine”

Odessa Regional Organization “Committee of Voters of Ukraine”

Polissya Fund of International and Regional Research (Chernihiv)

Local Democracy Foundation (Kharkiv)

Kherson Regional Branch of NGO “Committee of Voters of Ukraine”