Pro Russia party signs major deal with Crimea group

  • 2014-08-13
  • From wire reports, RIGA

European Parliament Member Tatjana Zdanoka of the Latvian Union of Russians party (photo: flickr)

The Latvian Union of Russians has signed a cooperation agreement with the pro-Russia regional party ''Russian Unity'' in the Crimea, which is led by the annexed territory's de-facto Prime Minister Sergei Aksyonov, reports LETA.

The cooperation agreement was signed by Latvian Union of Russians co-chairman Miroslavs Mitrofanovs and Aksyonov.

The Latvian Union of Russians points out that Russian politicians from Latvia have maintained contact with Aksyonov's party and that Mitrofanovs, together with European Parliament Member Tatjana Zdanoka (Latvian Union of Russians), where observers during the internationally unrecognized referendum on the region's status.

The aim of the cooperation agreement is to ''strengthen the unity of the Russian world.'' a statement from the Latvian Union of Russians party said.

It also foresees support to political and non-governmental organizations in Latvia and the Crimea, as well as cooperation between the civic societies. The agreement also foresees possibilities in implementing economic and cultural projects between the two sides.

Both parties also intend on organizing joint conferences, like, for example, on cooperation between Russia and the European Union.

In March, Aksyonov was put on the Canadian, the EU and the U.S. sanction lists due to the annexation of Crimea. His assets in these countries were frozen and he was banned from entering these countries.