Putin signs Crimea accession into law

Crimea held a referendum March 16 in which 96.6% of voters opted to join Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin Friday signed into law legislation on the accession of Crimea after both houses of parliament unanimously approved it.

"I signed several decrees today, including the decree on the formation of one more federal district, the Crimean federal district," Putin said at the signing ceremony.

"We have a lot of work ahead on Crimea's adaptation and on its joining Russia's legal system, the Russian economy and the social sphere," Putin added.

He appointed Oleg Vladimirovich Bulavintsev as presidential envoy in Crimea, urging both houses of the Russian parliament to facilitate the accession of Crimea and Sevastopol to Russia, Xinhua reported.

"I request deputies of both houses to actively engage in this work and do everything that depends on you to make this process not only seamless, but also beneficial for all Russia and for Crimean residents," he said.

Crimea, which was an autonomous region of Ukraine, held a referendum March 16 in which some 96.6% of voters opted to join Russia.