OSCE Chairperson-in-Office calls for full implementation of the Minsk Package of Measures

BELGRADE, 18 February 2015 - OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Ivica Dačić, welcomed the adoption of the UNSCR 2202 and reiterated the need for full and unconditional compliance by all signatories of the Minsk Document with the comprehensive ceasefire agreed in Minsk on 12 February. 

"At this moment, it is essential that all military activities cease immediately and that the Special Monitoring Mission has full access to all areas, including in and around Debaltseve," Dačić said.

"It is the responsibility of all signatories of the Minsk documents to ensure the safety, security and unhindered access to all areas and freedom of movement of the Special Monitoring Mission monitors on the ground. Reports of the SMM on denied access to the area in and around Debaltseve are alarming and I particularly call upon the representatives of the so-called ‘DPR’ and ‘LPR’ to enable SMM access to the said area without delay, which is fully in line with the Minsk agreements and the undertaken commitments. Despite the ongoing efforts of my Special Representative Ambassador Tagliavini, access of the SMM monitors to the area in and around Debaltseve has not been allowed."

The Chairperson-in-Office recalled that the ceasefire is agreed and valid for the entire conflict area, without any exceptions. Achieving full and verifiable ceasefire is the essential prerequisite for implementation of other agreed steps from the Package of Measures which the SMM is ready to implement.