On 16 August, the Permanent Representative Tamila Tasheva met with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Australia Bruce Edwards.

The meeting was attended by the Head of the Crimean Platform’s Support Service Maria Tomak.

At the beginning of the meeting, the parties discussed the events within the framework of the International Crimean Platform, which are planned to be held this year. In addition, the Permanent Representative briefed the Ambassador on the activities of the Mission/Office of the Crimean Platform in the context of developing strategies for the reintegration of the Crimean peninsula.

During the meeting, considerable attention was paid to the issue of indigenous peoples of the Crimean peninsula. For his part, Mr Edwards outlined the government’s policy towards indigenous peoples and national minorities living in Australia, and briefly mentioned the country’s experience in the complex process of overcoming the consequences of colonisation of previous centuries. Ms Tamila, in her turn, told the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Australia in Ukraine about the activities of the President and Government of Ukraine aimed at preserving, supporting and developing the culture and language of indigenous peoples of Ukraine.

The Ambassador once again stressed that Australia supports Ukraine in its struggle for territorial integrity and sovereignty. 

Mr Edwards has previously been actively involved in events organised by the Mission, including a visit to the Crimean Platform Office as part of a delegation of diplomatic representatives in October 2021. 

It is worth noting that Australia has been an active participant in the Crimean Platform summits since 2021. In particular, at the Inaugural Summit of the Crimean Platform in 2021, Australia was represented by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Peter Dutton, and at the second summit – by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong.

We are grateful to the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Australia in Ukraine for his visit and comprehensive support of Ukraine!