Press statement by the Trilateral Contact Group

KYIV, 22 July 2014 - The Trilateral Contact Group, consisting of senior representatives of Ukraine, the Russian Federation and the OSCE Chairperson-in Office, (President Kuchma, Ambassador Zurabov, Ambassador Tagliavini respectively), met on 22 July 2014 and held another round of video consultations with representatives of separatists operating in eastern Ukraine.

It was a follow-up to several meetings and consultations in the same format, which had taken place in the aftermath of the crash of the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 on 17 July 2014 at Grabovo, in eastern Ukraine.

During these meetings, including the latest one of 22 July, it had been possible to achieve progress on a number of problems emanating from the situation in the aftermath of the MH17 tragedy. This includes the initiating of repatriation of most of the bodies of the victims of the plane crash and handing over of the airplane’s “black boxes” to international experts.

In all the video consultations, the Contact Group highlighted the importance of secure access to the crash site and safety for the recovery and investigation workers.

The Trilateral Contact Group noted with satisfaction that it had been able to be instrumental in the easing of tension and in solving a number of problems, which had arisen out of the airplane crash of 17 July 2014.

The Trilateral Contact Group notes the fact that it was able to make use of its already established communication channels with representatives of separatists for the above purposes.

Together with the efforts to provide assistance for the solving of problems arising from the airplane crash tragedy, the Trilateral Contact Group will continue its determined efforts aimed at achieving a sustainable peaceful solution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine.