Dear leaders and spiritual advisors of the Crimean Tatar People, members of Mejlis, Crimean Tatars in Crimea and in mainland Ukraine, brothers and sisters!
On behalf of the Government and myself, I congratulate you on a remarkable date, the 100th anniversary of the First Kurultay of the Crimean Tatar People.
One hundred years ago the Crimean People’s Republic was proclaimed at the First Crimean Tatar National Assembly. Despite the fact that the Republic did not exist even for several months due to the Bolshevik offensive, its proclamation was of great significance not only for the Crimean Tatars and Ukraine, but also for the whole world. It was one of the first projects of democratic government in the Muslim society and the First Muslim Republic in the world. Therefore, the First Kurultay proves how old the democratic traditions in Ukraine and Crimea are.
Today, just like one hundred years ago, enemy came to the Crimean land again. Crimean Tatars are subjected to cruel oppression and repression in the occupied Crimea. The occupational authorities chase and imprison them, frame up cases and kill them deceitfully. Tens of thousands of Crimean Tatars are forced to leave their native land and to move to mainland Ukraine.
The issue of liberation of Crimea, protection of the Crimean Tatars is one of the priorities of our joint work. The government is doing its best to protect our compatriots from the invaders so that the Crimean Tatars could live freely on their land again. Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars have been overcoming difficulties and challenges, demonstrating unity and solidarity and striving to create decent living conditions over and over again. I believe that next Kurultay will be convened on Crimean land liberated from occupier.
Best regards,
Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman