Above: the Crimea region of Ukraine

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Caribbean Community is “deeply concerned” by the ongoing situation in Ukraine, the regional grouping said in a statement issued Wednesday.

CARICOM said it called on all parties involved to “act with self-restraint and responsibility in order to reduce tensions and avoid destabilisation in that region.”

Tensions continue to rise in the Crimea region of Ukraine between Russia and the country’s acting government.

“The Community supports the people of Ukraine in their efforts to settle their differences peacefully, and calls for the respect of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the region said. “In this regard, the Community also calls for the use of international mediation and/or negotiations, to address security and human rights concerns in Ukraine, under the auspices of the United Nations.”

CARICOM said it would continue to monitor developments within Ukraine and hoped for “peace and calm as political and economic stability area restored within that country.”