SIMFEROPOL, June 19 /TASS/. The extension of sanctions against Crimea is of no importance for the republic, Crimea’s head Sergei Aksyonov wrote on his page in social networks on Friday.

"It is a symbolic gesture. The West has already done everything which it could have done. They have tapped off water and imposed a transport blockade on Crimea. We have survived all that and continue developing - now in new economic realities. We have become even stronger over the past year," Aksyonov said.

He noted that foreign investors continued showing high interest in Crimea but often had to work via affiliated structures. Companies that left Crimea because of the sanctions have been replaced by new players, the head of Crimea said.

He regards the extension of sanctions against Crimea as another manifestation of "European hypocrisy." "Western politicians continue creating a semblance that they are ignoring the results of free will expression made by Crimean peoples," Aksyonov said.