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16 October 2018, 19:26

OSCE representative calls for observing ceasefire in Ukraine

MINSK, 16 October (BelTA) – After a regular session of the trilateral contact group on Ukraine in Minsk the OSCE's special representative in the group Martin Sajdik urged the conflicting parties in Ukraine to stick to the ceasefire regime, BelTA has learned.

Martin Sajdik said: “As you know, the effect of the Ukrainian law on the special status of individual areas of Donetsk Oblast and Lugansk Oblast was extended in early October. I welcome the fact as a testimony to Ukraine's adherence to the Minsk agreements and the peaceful resolution of the conflict.”

Martin Sajdik remarked that at the same time the number of ceasefire regime violations has risen, inevitably resulting in new victims among the civilian population --- a mother and a daughter died last week. “This is why I once again call upon all the sides to prevent such things and show restrain,” stressed the OSCE special representative.

Observing the ceasefire was the key item on the agenda of today's meeting of the subgroup on security. Additional measures to ensure ceasefire in the long term were discussed as well as the separation of forces and assets and the practical implementation of humanitarian demining.

The subgroup on humanitarian affairs continued discussing matters relating to the exchange of captives and search for missing persons. Ways to improve conditions for crossing the conflict line via checkpoints were discussed as well.

The work of the subgroup on economic affairs was focused on water supply, including further steps to repair the South Donbass water pipe and work in the industrial zone Avdeyevka. The subgroup on political affairs continued working on implementing the Steinmeier formula.

Asked about the head of the Ukrainian delegation, Martin Sajdik said that the matter had not been discussed that day. “We didn't discuss the matter because it is purely up to Ukraine to decide. I am sure that Ukraine will notify us in a timely manner,” said the diplomat. The former president of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma was the head of the Ukrainian delegation until recently.

The OSCE special representative pointed out that today was the last time the first deputy head of the OSCE's special monitoring mission to Ukraine Alexander Hug took part in the session of the contact group. He is retiring. Martin Sajdik thanked Alexander Hug on behalf of all participants of the trilateral contact group on Ukraine.

The next session of the trilateral contact group on resolving the situation in Ukraine's east will take place in Minsk on 6 November.

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