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Official says Crimea to remain territory of peace, concord

KIEV, January 24, /ITAR-TASS/. Ukraine’s Autonomous Republic of Crimea will remain a territory of stability and concord and will set an example of peace maintenance for other regions of this country, Crimean Prime Minister Anatoly Mogilyov said in an interview with the ATR television channel.

He thanked the Crimeans for understanding the simple truth that peace in the region was a common and invaluable treasure that was to be safeguarded.

Mogilyov stressed the importance of tough reacting to any manifestations of extremism whatever the slogans that were used to cover them up.

“Everyone realizes that animosity towards one another may pave the way to lamentable consequences,” he said. “I’m really grateful to the Crimeans of all the ethnic and religious backgrounds for tolerance.”

“We could have made statements of some kind but we simply didn’t drive the situation into a conflict,” Mogilyov said. “Stability in Crimea ensures a gradual economic growth and an increase of people’s living standards. If we continue supporting this tendency, Crimea will be developing, and that’s the main achievement of the people living here.”

He noted the willingness of some Ukrainian politicians to fan ethnic strife in Crimea but said the Crimeans were cutting those attempts short.

“We should have immunity against all of this and maintain the current order,” Mogilyov said. “The destructive forces trying to pour fuel into the flames should be rebuffed toughly and powerfully. Any problems arising in the Crimea should be resolved at the table of negotiations, which is the only fair place for tapping solutions.”

Mogilyov also commented on the desire of some Crimean politicians and deputies to shun Ukrainian laws as something that does not have legal effect in the autonomous republic.

“That’s legal nihilism and since Crimea is an inseparable part of Ukraine, separatism of any kind is strictly out of the question,” he said.