The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland, has expressed his concern over the withdrawal of the broadcasting license for the ATR television station serving Crimean Tatars.

“A pluralistic media offer and diversity of content are as important in Crimea as they are anywhere in Europe. I urge the authorities in Crimea and the operators of the Tatar TV station to come to an agreement which will allow the channel to continue. Free media should be able to ‘impart information and ideas,’ as guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights”.  “The Council of Europe is ready to provide its expertise to resolve the impasse", he said.