Congratulations to Crimea

On a momentous and even shattering day for the Republic of Crimea, Jan Chernogursky, Chairman of the Friends of Crimea Association, congratulated the peninsula on the seven-year anniversary of its accession to the Russian Federation. The Chairperson noted the growing positive reputation of Crimea around the world, expressed respect for its history and population, wished further prosperous multifaceted development and recalled the great role of the Friends of Crimea Association in the prosperity of the Republic.

«Seven years have passed since Crimea declared its independence and voted in a referendum to join the Russian Federation. Seven is considered to be a magic number, a number of God, which means happiness, success, the best features, the right path, optimism. Secret agent James Bond also had the number 007. Crimean history so far confirms the magic of number 7. Crimea is successful, friendly and on the right track. Seven years ago Crimea had only legal conditions, I would even write bureaucratic requirements to enter the Russian Federation.

Crimea has shaped Russian history for centuries: Prince Vladimir was baptised in Crimea and then christened all of Russia; Crimea was liberated by Empress Catherine the Great; Crimea was a military base on Russia's southern border; the White Army was defeated in Crimea; the Crimean Conference of 1945. Crimea tried to return to Russia as early as 1992. Nevertheless, the decision seven years ago was bold. Kiev did not agree to the secession of Crimea because it had a Ukrainian army on its territory. Drinking water was supplied to Crimea from Ukraine, and its factories provided electricity for the peninsula. The West was sharpening its grudge against Crimea. Later, an American general said that Russia had overtaken the Americans, that Crimea must have been previously occupied. They had already figured out how to drive the Russian Black Sea Fleet out of Crimea, as their missiles would come close to Moscow. But the Crimeans have resisted all this. The 96% of Crimeans who voted in the referendum for Crimea to be part of the Russian Federation were ready to accept the restrictions and reckon with them. They believed they would win. The Great Earth, Russia, was behind them.

Everything was clear long before the queues stood in front of the polling stations during the referendum. They won. A foreigner who comes to Crimea only rarely has a glimpse of the changes. First it was the new airport in Simferopol. Then the improvement of the road around Simferopol, the bypass road to Yalta, and the bridge across the Kerch Strait. Getting electricity from Russia or from their own new factories, gradually providing their own water supply. But what impressed me most was watching people walking down the streets of Simferopol, Sevastopol, Yalta. Peaceful people walking peacefully through the streets of their city. No one in need is without a kind word. They are ready to advise or help a foreigner when he asks for something. Such people and such a peninsula evoke sympathy all over the world.

Friendship Clubs with Crimea have been established in different countries for several years. Currently, they are located in 32 countries. The current pandemic is also limiting the creation and operation of clubs. Before the pandemic and certainly after the pandemic, club members would meet and greet in cafés or public places. They talk about what they know about the Crimea, act as intermediaries and advise where to go on holiday in the Crimea. They can help you find contacts for those who need Crimean air treatment. They give recommendations to business people looking for business partners. They appear in the media wherever possible to defend the decision of Crimeans to return to their homeport in Russia. Friends of Crimea clubs are completely independent in their activities and decisions. They have joined the International Association of Friends of Crimea and set up a Coordinating Committee to ensure their mutual communication and exchange of experience. They work in different conditions. Somewhere the state does not interfere in their activities; there are states where the state has influence on them. Take as an example that the Polish friend of Crimea spent several months in prison. Now we all congratulate the Crimean people, our friends, on their free life and wish them peace, success and happiness on their beautiful peninsula.