We are deeply surprised and gravely concerned by this unfortunate development at the background of the official non-recognition by the international community, including the Kingdom of the Netherlands, of the illegal annexation of Crimea, which is a part of the territory of Ukraine, by the Russian Federation. It is furthermore appalling in view of the recent well-known cases of international companies misinterpreting the recent dramatic political developments around Crimea in their marketing policies.

Our strong position is that a reputable international company, which SPAR International is considered to be, can not and should not allow itself to act against the key principles of international law by encouraging the aggressor and providing an indirect, de facto recognition of the illegitimate change of status of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Ukraine.

Therefore, we insist that SPAR International should take every step necessary to address the situation mentioned above in the most effective, appropriate and expeditious way, as well as to prevent it from happening in the future. After all, we believe doing so is in the best interest of SPAR International in view of the regulations of Ukraine and the European Union regarding the mode of business and trade operations with companies registered in Crimea.

Embassy of Ukraine in the Kingdom of the Netherlands is looking forward to an official reaction by SPAR International the to this statement.