Zagreb - The Croatian Parliament on Friday adopted the Declaration on Ukraine, with 133 votes for and one abstention, which condemns in the strongest terms Russia's unprovoked aggression on Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.
The abstaining MP was Katarina Peović of the opposition Workers' Front. The vote was watched from the gallery by Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Kyrylych. MPs applauded the adoption of the Declaration. Before the vote, Speaker Gordan Jandroković reiterated on the behalf of all MPs that Croatia is with the Ukrainian people in these difficult moments.
In the Declaration, the Croatian parliament calls on Russia to immediately cease the attack and withdraw its troops from Ukrainian territory.
The Sabor condemns the recognition of the self-proclaimed regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, because that act represents a gross violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and subverts the foundations of the international order. The Sabor extends full support for Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence within its internationally recognised borders, which is the fundamental point of reference in the relations and cooperation between Croatia and Ukraine.
The Sabor extends full solidarity with Ukraine and its people, and calls on the Croatian government to provide humanitarian and technical assistance to Ukraine in this difficult moment for them and all of the peace-loving world.
According to the Declaration, the Croatian parliament underlines that in the context of the security situation in eastern Europe, the key for keeping the peace and stability in the region lies in maintaining dialogue between all relevant international actors, in defusing tensions and the aggressive rhetoric, and in respecting the international legal order and inviolability of international borders.
The ten-point Declaration also says the Sabor is firmly confident that a secure, stable and prosperous Ukraine is in the strategic interest of all citizens of Ukraine, the EU, the whole European continent, world peace and the international order.