MINSK, 2 March (BelTA) - Participants of the Minsk negotiations to resolve the crisis in Ukraine signed a document on the complete cessation of live-fire exercises on the line of contact in Ukraine, Ambassador Martin Sajdik, the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group, told reporters, BelTA has learnt.
“This decision applies to all kinds of weapons and comes into force on 4 March at midnight Kiev time,” Ambassador Martin Sajdik said.
The OSCE representative believes that the implementation of this decision will be the most important step towards establishing a sustainable ceasefire in the conflict zone. “During the past few weeks life-fire exercises raised fears and insecurities. I hope that this decision will help alleviate tensions on the line of contact,” said Martin Sajdik.
He thanked all those who contributed to the signing of this document and the document on the designation of zones for demining. “I want to express my appreciation and gratitude to Mr. Ertugrul Apakan (Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine – note by BelTA) for his great work and Mr Alexander Hug, Principal Deputy Chief. Both really worked hard,” Ambassador Martin Sajdik said.
