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Ceasefire matters top Ukraine talks agenda in Minsk
MINSK, 16 November (BelTA) - The compliance with ceasefire agreements were the main topic on the agenda of the Minsk talks on the conflict in Ukraine, OSCE's special representative in the trilateral contact group on Ukraine Martin Sajdik told the media on 15 November, BelTA informs.
“Keeping in mind the events of the last week, the issues of compliance with the ceasefire agreements and security of civilians in the conflict zone were in the spotlight of the talks of the trilateral contact group and its working group on security. Recently, there has been an increase in ceasefire violations. Last week this number increased by 14% as compared with the previous week, while yesterday the number of violations reached 2,000 over a day, which is a grim example in the second half of this year,” Martin Sajdik said.
The trilateral contact group once again stressed that all ceasefire violations, especially near civilian infrastructure facilities, are a threat to the population. Fully aware of all these risks and threats, the parties once again confirmed their commitment to a full and permanent ceasefire, and also agreed on a joint statement. "The trilateral contact group, with the participation of the representatives of several areas of Donetsk Oblast and Lugansk Oblast, confirms its full adherence to the truce announced in connection with the start of the academic year and the unconditional implementation of additional measures aimed at ensuring a comprehensive, sustainable and continued ceasefire, including all the relevant orders,” Martin Sajdik stressed reading out the statement.
Participants of the working group on economic affairs discussed water supply issues, namely, current settlements and repayment of arrears for supplied water. Future water supplies via the Karbonit system were discussed as well. “I hope that the parties will soon come to the solutions that will allow the full operation of the system,” Martin Sajdik said. The working group continued discussing ways to settle the debts that former Ukrainian Railways employees are owed in Donetsk Oblast and Lugansk Oblast.
During the session of the working group on humanitarian affairs, Ambassador Toni Frisch informed on his trip to Lugansk Oblast, where he visited detention centers on both sides of the contact line, and also the Zolotoi and Stanitsa Luganskaya checkpoints. The group continued the discussion on a possible exchange of persons held in connection with the conflict. Martin Sajdik called for the sides to demonstrate humaneness and do everything possible for the release of the captured before Christmas and the New Year celebration.
The working group on political affairs continued discussing matters relating to the so-called Steinmeier formula in view of the extended effect of the law on the special status of several areas of Donetsk Oblast and Lugansk Oblast and the Normandy Four talks.
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