SIMFEROPOL, CRIMEA, August 19 (RIA Novosti) – China, Turkey and Israel have shown their readiness to cooperate with Russia’s Republic of Crimea, Georgy Muradov, the Crimean government’s deputy head said Tuesday.
“Turkey, Israel and certain Far Eastern states are showing initiative and wide readiness to cooperate. We will be interacting with everyone,” Muradov said at a Crimean government session.
Muradov also noted that communications with large Chinese corporations, investors and government officials had been established earlier at the request of the acting head of the Republic of Crimea. The Chinese are particularly interested in developing Crimea’s infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, tunnels, ports, airports, energy and water supply facilities, and housing and communal services, as well as helping to develop the agricultural sector.
The Republic of Crimea, situated on the northern coast of the Black Sea, became part of Russia following a referendum on March 16. Almost 97 percent of the population voted to break away from Ukraine and join Russia. The West condemned the move, branding the referendum illegal, while Moscow says the vote was legitimate. Since the reunification of Crimea with Russia, Western powers have introduced several rounds of economic sanctions against Moscow, accusing it of meddling in Ukraine’s economic affairs.
