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11 July 2018, 18:15

Sajdik: Fewer ceasefire violations in east of Ukraine since 1 July

MINSK, 11 July (BelTA) - The number of the ceasefire violations in the east of Ukraine has significantly decreased since the ceasefire was announced, OSCE's special representative in the trilateral contact group in Ukraine Martin Sajdik told the media, BelTA has learned.

The diplomat recalled that two weeks ago the trilateral contact group reaffirmed its full adherence to the universal, lasting, and timeless ceasefire as from 1 July. “I am glad that the ceasefire is holding. Since its entry into force the number of ceasefire violations has decreased considerably. Although we have seen some increase over the past two days,” Martin Sajdik said.

According to the latest data, during the ceasefire one person was wounded among the civilian population. On behalf of the trilateral contact group Martin Sajdik thanked and welcomed the efforts of those who actually respect the ceasefire. On behalf of the trilateral contract group he also urged all to adhere it.

Although the number of civilian casualties fell by more than twice this year compared with the past, this does not mean that the suffering of people living in the conflict zone has decreased. "Reaffirming the commitment to the ceasefire should also be accompanied by a set of concrete actions: the withdrawal of heavy weapons and demining,” Martin Sajdik said.

The Working Group on Economic Affairs continued the discussion of further steps to restore and improve Vodafone-Ukraine mobile communication in certain areas of Donetsk and Lugansk regions. The group also considered the topic of water deliveries in Karbonyt and Voda Donbassa systems. “I cannot say that some agreements have been reached but there is a real improvement in the work of Vodafone-Ukraine in certain areas of Donetsk and Lugansk regions. And, of course, we need to work on this further,” Martin Sajdik added.

The Working Group on Humanitarian Affairs continued discussing the implementation of the so-called ‘Steinmeier formula', the amnesty and the modality of local elections in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

“The meeting of the Working Group on Humanitarian Affairs was not planned today,” Martin Sajdik said. He noted that it happened solely due to technical reasons as Ambassador Toni Frisch had other responsibilities. When asked about the introduction of the 24/7 operation regime for the checkpoints and the setting up of new checkpoints, the special representative reported that these topics were not discussed today.

The trilateral contact group will convene for the next meeting in Minsk on 25 July.

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