The OSCE Troika meet prior to “Emperor-Otto Award” ceremony in Magdeburg to discuss Ukraine, preparations for the Ministerial Council

MAGDEBURG, Germany, 19 September 2015 - The OSCE Troika, represented by the current, the previous and the incoming Chairperson-in-Office - Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić, Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter, and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, held a meeting today and later attended the ceremony at which the OSCE was honoured with the prestigious “Emperor-Otto Award” 2015 by the Mayor of the City of Magdeburg.

Regarding the situation in and around Ukraine, the Troika discussed and commended the latest efforts of the Normandy Format as well as the Trilateral Contact Group and its Working Groups, aimed at reaching consensus on the best ways to advance towards full implementation of the Minsk agreements. The Foreign Ministers welcomed the holding of the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine and called on all sides to continue respecting it, so that sustainable conditions are created for supporting the political process which should lead to a peaceful solution to the crisis. The Troika also called on all sides to finalize the agreement on the withdrawal of tanks and smaller calibre weapons as soon as possible to be verified by the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) and to guarantee full access for the mission to the conflict zone. Reaching an agreement in the Political Working Group on the time and modalities of local elections in certain areas of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions, which are to be held in line with the Minsk agreements, is of utmost importance.  

The Troika commends the tremendous work of the SMM. The mission will face new tasks and challenges due to the ongoing political events. Additional measures concerning the security of the observers, the mission structures and the mission’s management will be necessary. In that respect the Ministers welcome the steps already taken for the establishment of eight additional forward patrol bases located on both sides of the contact line and underline the need for additional technical means. The Ministers underlined the need to ensure the safety and security of SMM monitors, their freedom of movement and unrestricted access. The Troika will ask the mission to develop, in consultation with the Secretariat in Vienna, a concept that illustrates how to respond to the growing challenges.

The Troika discussed the issue of migration especially the role the OSCE could play. They also called upon all participating States to support international humanitarian efforts for refugees in transition countries and war-affected regions.

Dačić informed his colleagues about the preparations for the 22^nd OSCE Ministerial Council which will be held on 3-4 December in Belgrade, and focused primarily on the potential deliverables, which are being considered for adoption at the Ministerial Council. Ministers Burkhalter and Steinmeier expressed their full support to the Chairmanship plans for successful Ministerial Council in Belgrade.

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe received the “Emperor-Otto Award” for its contribution to conflict prevention and crisis resolution in Europe and neighbouring regions. The Prize, honouring outstanding services to the European unification process and the promotion of the European idea, in particular with regard to Eastern and South-eastern European countries, was awarded this year for the first time to an institution – the OSCE.  The prize recognizes the commitment of the OSCE to a life of peace, democracy and stability for all its people and the endeavour of the OSCE to create a peaceful and secure Europe for the 21^st century. The OSCE has proven its capacity in crisis prevention and crisis management in Europe and the neighbouring regions over the last years and especially in the crisis in and around Ukraine since 2014.