presented with a series of proposals to deescalate the crisis and to address the situation in Crimea. After six hours of talks, Russia rebuffed these efforts and on Sunday the referendum went ahead.

The Crimean authorities claimed a turnout of 83 percent of the population with 96.8 percent voting in favor of joining Russia. Yesterday, the parliament of Crimea formally applied to join the Russian Federation and President Putin signed a decree recognizing Crimea as a sovereign state.

He has now announced in the last two hours new laws to incorporate Crimea into the Russian Federation.

It was regrettable. I'll give away one (inaudible) complete of this passage of my speech, it was regrettable to hear President Putin today choosing the route of isolation, denying the citizens of his own countrythe provisions of the constitution and that only the Ukrainian parliament has the right to call such referendums.

I give way to my old friend from Norfolk Mr. (inaudible).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Very grateful for giving away (inaudible) in his speech. But would he agree with me, also, but any referendum held at the barrel of a gun and on an electoral roll that is manifested not fit for purpose really cannot be taken seriously?

HAGUE: Yes, this was a vote in circumstance of Crimea's occupied by over 20,000 Russian troops. And indeed the meeting of the Crimean parliament which announced the referendum was itself controlled by unidentified armed gunmen and took place behind locked doors. I give way to the honorable member.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you very much.

So does the foreign secretary