Post date: Mar 19, 2014 3:7:1 PM
Russian Constitutional Court verifies Crimea's annexation, paving the way for the ratification of the treaty by parliament.
ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA (MARCH 19, 2014) (RURTR) - Russia's constitutional court verified on Wednesday (March 19) legislation allowing Ukraine's Crimea region to join Russia after it was signed by PresidentVladimir Putin, allowing Ukraine's Crimea region to join Russia.
Constitutional Court Chairman Valery Zorkin said the vote was unanimous, adding it was passed quickly due a direct request fro Putin."The decision was unanimous. The treaty is in accordance with the constitution of the Russian Federation. Why so soon? I think, first, the events have dictated all of this. And second, (due to ) a request by the president," Zorkin said.
Following the verification the bill will be sent to both houses of parliament, the Duma and the Federation Council, which will vote on it separately and work on a treaty to be signed between Russia and the new state.
Crimea on Sunday (March 16) overwhelmingly voted in favour of joining Russia in a referendum dimmed by the West and Kiev as illegal because Russian forces have seized the southern region.
Duma officials say the Black Sea peninsula can become a member of the Russian Federation under current legislation, specifically under a law "On the procedure for the adoption into the Russian Federation and education of new subjects of the Russian Federation" that was passed in 2001, Interfax said.
Under the treaty, a transitional period could be set for the new subject to be integrated into Russia's economic, financial, credit and legal systems.