BERLIN, September 22 (RIA Novosti) – German company Hansa Touristik has not yet commented on reports that the cruise ship Ocean Majesty spent a whole day last week in the Crimean port of Yalta despite the ban by Ukrainian authorities.
A company employee told RIA Novosti by telephone, that the travel agency does not have a press service and only Hansa Touristik senior executives who are "on a business trip until Thursday" can comment on the situation.
Earlier radio station NDR 90,3 reported that most of the approximately 500 passengers onboard the Ocean Majesty spent most of the 17 September in the Crimean city of Yalta. They observed the city and participated in sightseeing trips.
It was noted that the ship belongs to a Greek shipyard, but was chartered by German company Hansa Touristik headquartered in Bremen. Almost all of the passengers are German nationals, the radio station reported. After a cruise on the Black and Mediterranean seas on Tuesday the ship is expected in Venice.
Crimea reunified with Russia in March following a referendum on the region’s status, with 96 percent of the voters being in favor of reunification. The West has refused to recognize the results of the vote declaring it illegal. Russian President Vladimir Putin in a speech following the referendum stressed that it was held in full compliance with democratic procedures and rules of international law.
Earlier, Ukraine announced that it intends to close shipping ports located on Crimean territory. Companies with vessels violating the ban are expected to be included on a black list. Ukraine has also called on other countries to join this ban.
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