MINSK, 29 April (BelTA) – The next round of negotiations on Ukraine will take place in Minsk on 18 May, BelTA learned from Martin Sajdik, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office's special representative in the trilateral contact group on Ukraine, on 29 April.
Martin Sajdik pointed out that today's talks were held in a slightly unusual format. 29 April saw a meeting of the subgroup on security affairs in addition to the session of the contact group. Subgroups on humanitarian and economic affairs met on 27 April while the subgroup on political affairs held a video conference on 28 April.
The subgroup on economic affairs discussed such matters as water supply, natural gas supply, environmental protection, welfare payments, the restoration of railway service and other things. The subgroup on humanitarian affairs discussed POW exchange with no success so far. “I am forced to note with regret that no agreement to release captured personnel has been reached. Such a move would be important in anticipation of Easter. The work on the matter will continue during the next session,” said Martin Sajdik.
Asked why the sides have failed to agree on POW exchange, Martin Sajdik said: “Honestly speaking, I would love to explain it to you but I can't. I can only do my best to make it happen. We know that mothers are waiting for them, wives are waiting, kids are waiting. We know that it would be very important from the human point of view due to Easter. But unfortunately we cannot make miracles.”
Yet the diplomat noted that during this round of talks the sides agreed that the OSCE's special monitoring mission would coordinate the opening of the Zolotoye checkpoint.
The subgroup on political affairs continued discussing the organization of municipal elections in several areas of Donetsk Oblast and Lugansk Oblast. Martin Sajdik did not disclose any details.
The subgroup on security matters discussed the unstable situation in the conflict zone in detail. In other words, they talked about the multiple violations of the ceasefire regime that result in human casualties. The OSCE special representative reminded that artillery fire killed four civilians near the village of Olenevka, Donetsk Oblast on 27 April. “It was certainly dreadful,” he said. Martin Sajdik noted that on 29 April all participants of the subgroup on security affairs backed the idea of putting extra efforts into securing full and rigorous observance of the ceasefire regime. The diplomat said he hopes that the ceasefire would become permanent and no longer limited in time.
