MINSK, 20 October (BelTA) – It is impossible to secure progress in other matters without resolving the mine clearance issue, BelTA learned from the OSCE special representative in the trilateral contact group on Ukraine Martin Sajdik on 20 October.
According to the source, the working group on security focuses on mine clearance partially due to the scheduled urgent humanitarian and economic projects. The group has agreed to continue working out mine clearance principles and compiling the list of relevant priorities. “We believe it is very important. How can progress in other spheres be achieved without mine clearance? How will it be possible to secure progress in humanitarian affairs, economic and political ones?” asked Martin Sajdik.
He also said that the subgroup on security will continue working on de-escalating the conflict in the area of Shirokino and on verifying the withdrawal of heavy weapon systems.
Speaking about the political subgroup, Martin Sajdik said it worked on 19 and 20 October. The subgroup discussed conditions for arranging the local elections, which are impossible without resolving the mine clearance issue.
During the current round of talks the subgroup on political affairs discussed the role of mass media and political parties in the local elections.
