(MENAFN- Qatar News Agency) The European Union Sunday reiterated that the 28-member bloc considers the referendum in Crimea as "illegal and illegitimate and its outcome will not be recognised." "European Union considers the holding of the referendum on the future status of the territory of Ukraine as contrary to the Ukrainian Constitution and international law," said the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy and President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso in a joint statement. They stressed that the solution to the crisis in Ukraine must be based on the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. "Only working together through diplomatic processes, including direct discussions between the Governments of Ukraine and Russia, can we find a solution to the crisis," noted the statement. It pointed out that the EU has a special responsibility for peace, stability and prosperity on the European continent and will continue pursuing these objectives using all available channels, reported the Kuwaiti news agency KUNA. "We reiterate the strong condemnation of the unprovoked violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and call on Russia to withdraw its armed forces to their pre-crisis numbers and the areas of their permanent stationing," it said. EU Foreign Affairs will evaluate the situation tomorrow in Brussels and decide on additional measures in line with the declaration of the Heads of State and Government of the EU of 6 March, it added.
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