Ukraine delegation walks out of Black Sea meeting

ISTANBUL

Tensions between Russian and Ukrainian delegations at an economic meeting in Istanbul boiled over on Wednesday about the issue of Crimea.

Ukraine's delegation objected to a Russian lawmaker, Pavel , being made a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of Black Sea Economic Cooperation because he was purportedly elected in Crimea.

The Black Sea territory was annexed by Russia after an illegal independence vote in 2014.

During a session to confer new "licenses of authority", Ukrainian delegation chair Lyudmyla Denisova said Crimea remained Ukrainian soil and described the situation as "unacceptable".

Denisova objected to being described as a lawmaker for the Russian Duma when "Crimea is an indivisible part of Ukraine".

She said Russia had invaded Crimea, therefore elections held there were invalid. Denisova also demanded leave the meeting hall.

Russian delegation head Michael Emelyanov rejected the Ukrainian claims saying: "Pavel is not elected from Crimea, he is elected from [a] federal list".

The Ukrainian delegation later walked out in protest.

Speaking to reporters a break between sessions, Turkish delegation head, Ramazan Can, said the license of of had not been confirmed, meaning the Russian lawmaker would not have the right to attend forthcoming sessions.

Can a permanent committee would evaluate the issue, but as it takes decisions if Ukraine objects to license of authority, it will not be confirmed.

Ukraine has been wracked by conflict since March 2014 following Russia’s occupation of Crimea after an internationally unrecognized independence vote.

The UN General Assembly later voted to proclaim the Russian annexation illegal.

Along with many UN member nations, the U.S., and Turkey also do not recognize Crimea as Russian territory.

Hosted by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, the 49th Parliamentary Assembly of Black Sea Economic Cooperation runs until Thursday. Anadolu Agency is the "host photographer" of the event.

Reporting by Emin Ileri, Gulsum and ; Writing by Fatih Hafiz Mehmet