SIMFEROPOL , Russia, April 11 (UPI) -- The parliament of Crimea overwhelmingly voted in favor of adopting a new constitution as a Russian republic Friday.
The text of the constitution was approved in the Crimea State Council with 88 of 100 deputies signaling their support in an extraordinary session. The vote signifies the council considers Crimea a part of the Russian Federation.
The main provisions of the new constitution are similar to articles in the Russian Constitution.
Crimea declared its independence from Ukraine in March and entered a treaty to join Russia, contravening a 1954 treaty by which Crimea was made a part of Ukraine. The treaty of reunification with Russia was approved by the Russian president and parliament immediately after a referendum of Crimean citizens indicated a willingness to join Russia.
The vote is the latest move in integrating Crimea into the Russian Federation’s constitution and economy. A full integration is expected by December.
At the end of the session, council members stood for the Russian national anthem.
[Euronews] [RIA Novosti]