“Agent of Ukraine, ambassador on special assignment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Anton Korynevich presented Kyiv’s position at the oral hearings at the Arbitration Tribunal in The Hague in the case regarding Ukraine’s rights in the Black and Azov Seas and the Kerch Strait.”, — write: www.epravda.com.ua
Agent of Ukraine, ambassador on special assignment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Anton Korynevich presented Kyiv’s position at the oral hearings at the Arbitration Tribunal in The Hague in the case regarding Ukraine’s rights in the Black and Azov Seas and the Kerch Strait.
This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “European Truth” writes.
Korynevich noted that in this case, Ukraine proves numerous violations of maritime law by Russia and demonstrates that “Russia has no right to rewrite maritime law.”
He emphasized that Russia claims that all 37,600 square kilometers of the Sea of Azov are internal waters to which the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) does not apply.
But Ukraine insists that the tribunal should not make a decision that would deviate from the text of UNCLOS and recognize the Sea of Azov as internal waters of several states.
“Such a decision would endanger the rights of Ukraine, as well as states whose ships have historically transported millions of tons of grain, steel and other goods to and from Mariupol and Berdyansk,” Korynevych said.
He also emphasized the illegality of the Kerch bridge and stated that it should be dismantled.
“The passage through the Kerch Strait should be similar to what it was before the start of this illegal obstruction to shipping,” Korinevych said.
He noted that Ukraine is asking the tribunal to apply the Convention on the Law of the Sea as it is written.
“Execute the mandatory jurisdiction granted to you by UNCLOS. And for the small but important case of Russia’s illegal behavior under consideration – its violation of maritime law – hold Russia accountable,” the agent of Ukraine said.
We will remind you, Ukraine initiated arbitration proceedings against the Russian Federation in September 2016 “in order to protect its rights as a coastal state in the waters adjacent to Crimea in the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait.”
In August 2018, the court in The Hague decided to consider objections of Russia, postponing the consideration of the merits.
Russia’s main objection was that Ukraine’s claims actually do not relate to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, but are an attempt to obtain a decision confirming Ukraine’s sovereignty over the Crimean peninsula.
European truth