This was the first visit of the Ambassador to the Crimean Platform’s Mission/Office after his appointment and arrival in Ukraine. He reminded that Spain supports the territorial integrity of Ukraine at all possible platforms, including the UN General Assembly, actively participates in the Crimean Platform summits and plans to join this year’s CP summit.

Mr. Jagu emphasized that Spain also supports the Formula for Peace proposed by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Permanent Representative briefed the Ambassador on the activities of the Mission, especially on the development of reintegration measures for Crimea after its de-occupation. She informed about the current situation on the temporarily occupied peninsula.

Tamila Tasheva drew attention to the fact that the occupiers have also kidnapped and are holding foreign citizens in Crimea, including Spanish volunteer Mariano Garcia Calatayuda, known as Mario. The Spanish citizen had been living in Ukraine for over 8 years, he disappeared after he went to a rally for the Unity of Ukraine in Kherson on March 19, 2022. In October, it became known that he was illegally detained in the Simferopol pre-trial detention center. It is possible that Mr. Mario may also be subjected to torture.

The Ambassador and the Permanent Representative discussed how to help and raise awareness of this case. The meeting also touched upon the work in Spanish-speaking countries, in particular Latin America and Africa, where our Spanish colleagues have significant contacts and expertise.