Declaration of independence gives Crimea state status - Crimean parliament speaker
SIMFEROPOL. March 11 (Interfax) - The declaration of independence adopted by the deputies of the Supreme Council of Crimea gave the peninsula state status.
"By adopting this declaration we have declared ourselves a republic, and we will become a republic of Russia," Volodymyr Konstatynov, chairman of the Supreme Council of Crimea, told reporters.
Konstatynov said the name of the republic will also be changed.
"The word 'autonomous' is omitted, the Republic of Crimea is left," he said.
Konstantynov said the declaration of independence "will be a necessary procedural document and will contribute to the recognition of the legitimacy of the entire procedure for the inclusion [of Crimea] in Russia."
"It is also done to prevent any questions from experts. This will make the inclusion procedure fully legitimate," he said.