OSCE Chairperson-in-Office gives full backing to Minsk package

BELGRADE, 12 February 2015 - The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Serbia's Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić, welcomed the results of the Summit in Minsk and gave his full support to the package of measures for the implementation of the September 2014 Minsk agreements agreed by the Trilateral Contact Group.  

“I encourage all sides to seize the opportunity that this package presents to cease hostilities and ease tensions, which would enable us to reach our common goal of restoring peace in eastern Ukraine. The tireless work of the leaders of France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine, which resulted in this package being adopted, is yet another reminder of what can be accomplished through joint efforts.”

“I call on all sides to fully implement this package with the aim of de-escalating the conflict and putting an end to civilian casualties. This will create the conditions needed to resolve this crisis through political means and to reach a feasible and sustainable solution on the basis of international law and OSCE commitments,” said Dačić.

“Let me also express my gratitude to the Trilateral Contact Group and my Special Representative, Ambassador Heidi Tagliavini, whose role in maintaining contact between all sides and thereby paving the way to an agreement has proven to be indispensable,” he added.

“The OSCE is ready to do everything it can within its mandate to facilitate full implementation of the agreed measures.  I expect that the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine will continue to play a central role in these efforts,” he concluded.