A power line supplying 220 MW to Crimea will be repaired soon; others depend on fulfilling demands of Crimean Tatars – Mustafa Dzhemilev

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Kyiv, November 24, 2015. Repair works at electric power transmission line continue and possibly in 2-4 days. A line supplying 220 MW to Crimea will be adjusted in order to prevent accidents and restore electricity supply to hospitals. The fate of other electric power transmission lines and electricity supply to the temporarily occupied peninsula will be decided together with the representatives of the Crimean Tatar people. This was stated by Mustafa Dzhemilev, leader of the Crimean Tatars, Commissioner of the President of Ukraine on the Affairs of Crimean Tatars, at a press briefing at the Ukrainian Crisis Media Centre. “We believe that the existing agreement on electricity supply does not meet the interests of Ukraine, and therefore should be revised. The agreement is in force until January 1 next year,” he said. According to the leader of the Crimean Tatar people, these 220 MW from one power transmission line will be sufficient for social care institutions. However, there are fears that the distribution of electric power will differ, that is to say it will be used in the same way as the one which is produced directly on Crimean territory, which has the capacity of about 300 MW. “As expected, this electricity is now supplied to the occupied Crimea mainly to the military bases, Russia’s Federal Security Service, authorities’ offices and is used to light Putin’s portraits along the roads,” pointed out Mustafa Dzhemilev.

Regarding connecting of the second electric power transmission line, which is about 350 MW, the decision is to be made on a governmental level, said the Commissioner. Ukrainians will insist on fulfilling the demands of the Crimean Tatar people: “first of all the demand to immediately release all hostages, political prisoners, there are 9 of them: 7 Crimean Tatars and 2 Ukrainians; to form a special international group to investigate the facts of kidnapping and murders of our citizens; to set free entrance to Crimea for international monitoring groups on human rights in the occupied Crimea; restore democratic freedoms that existed in Crimea prior the occupation,” stated Mustafa Dzhemilev. The issue of further electricity supply to Crimea will be settled depending on decision Russia makes.

The new agreement on the electricity supply, which Mustafa Dzhemilev describe as ‘absurd’, is supposed to be the main leverage. “The currently valid agreement is highly unprofitable; it terminologically states that electricity is supplied to the “Crimean Federal District”. The agreement was signed between the state energy supply ‘Ukrenergo’ and the Crimean enterprise ‘KrymEnergo’ that had been disengaged from Ukraine. Following that the agreement was signed again but this time with a person who is on Ukraine’s wanted list as a traitor, namely Viktor Plakida. Current energy prices in Crimea are inappropriate,” emphasised the leader of the Crimean Tatar people. He explained that it is about mutual supplies, i.e. Ukraine supplies electricity to temporarily occupied Crimea, and Russia supplies electricity to northern regions of Ukraine. “Besides, a third of electricity is supplied to the region occupied by separatists. Meaning we pay from the state budget to keep separatists warm and cosy,” such was Mr.Dzhemilev’s agreement for the agreement to be reviewed. At the same time the Commissioner said that yesterday at the meeting of Cabinet of Ministers, the Prime Minister had clearly stated that the next agreement which would be signed with the Russian Federation on electricity supply ought to be agreed with the supreme representative body of Crimean Tatars – the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people.

Regarding further policy on Crimea, Mustafa Dzhemilev informed about the first small victory of participants in the Crimea blockade, which was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. “Trucks will no longer be allowed go to Crimea from Ukraine’s mainland. Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine has been commissioned to develop a list of materials and foods and to define how much can be transported in cars,” said the leader of the Crimean Tatar people.