Press Statement of Special Representative of OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Sajdik after meeting of Trilateral Contact Group on 29 March 2017

MINSK, 30 March 2017 – The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), Ambassador Martin Sajdik, made the following statement to the press after the meeting of the TCG ‎and its working groups in Minsk on 29 March 2017:

“In the context of growing tensions in the conflict area, security issues continue to be our focus, including adherence to the ceasefire, full implementation of agreements on the withdrawal of heavy weapons, disengagement of forces and hardware, as well as the establishment of so-called security zones to protect civilians and critical infrastructure.

The issue of security for personnel and property of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM), as well as existing restrictions on the freedom of movement for members of the Mission are a cause for growing concern as well.

However, we can note some positive developments. Today the sides agreed on full adherence to the ceasefire and the completion of the withdrawal of heavy weapons by April 1, as well as on the disengagement of forces and hardware in Stanytsia Luhanska on April 6. At the same time, the Ukrainian side insisted on the condition of a complete ceasefire in this zone seven days prior to disengagement.

In the humanitarian field, discussions on the release of detainees in relation to the conflict continued. Particular attention was paid to the implementation of a mechanism which would enable a third party to mediate in the verification procedure for detainees who, after their release, prefer to stay in the territory where they were in detention. The discussions on this issue are ongoing.

The representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights explained the technical side of this issue at today’s meeting of the respective Working Group.

The issues of protecting the civilian population, especially children, were also discussed.

In the political field, the discussion focused on issues related to the so-called ‘Steinmeier formula’.

In the Working Group on Economic Issues and Rehabilitation, the effects of the railway blockade were discussed, as well as the introduction of “external administration” for Ukrainian-owned enterprises in certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions (CADR and CALR).

The parties also supported the idea of creating the so-called “security zones” around the key infrastructure facilities.

As you probably already noticed, economic issues have recently come to the foreground. Unfortunately, developments in this field are by no means going in the desired direction.

For example, I would like to remind you that at the end of 2016, the blockade of railroads began. Further, in February 2017, CALR announced the introduction of the Russian ruble as “legal tender”, taking effect on 1 March 2017. In the same month, the so-called “external administration” for enterprises under Ukrainian jurisdiction was introduced in CADR and CALR, which led to the loss of actual control of these enterprises by their rightful owners. In mid-March, according to the Resolution of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council, cargo transport across the line of contact was suspended, with the exception of humanitarian cargo.

These actions in the economic field were accompanied by other events. In particular, in January and early February 2017, a rise in hostilities and a sharp increase in the number of shellings was observed, especially in the Avdiivka–Donetsk–Makiivka triangle, as well as an increase in the number of casualties, also among the civilian population.

In this connection, I would like to mention the decree “On the recognition in the Russian Federation of the documents and license plates issued to Ukrainian citizens and stateless persons permanently residing in the territories of certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine” as well as the so-called decree “On the line of contact” of 27 February by the CADR.

As you remember, at the previous meeting two weeks ago I expressed concern about this situation, which, in my deep conviction, does not contribute to the success of the Minsk process. On the contrary, the recent events intensify tensions between the sides and have an unambiguously negative effect on the process of mutual rapprochement.

I also expressed my hope that the sides would find ways to improve the current situation in this regard.

I keep hoping for it. Our discussions today gave rise to such hopes, as we were able to reach the following agreements, which I will now read to you:

Statement of the Trilateral Contact Group and the representatives from certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine

We confirm the necessity of a full and comprehensive implementation of the Minsk agreements (Protocol of 5 September 2014, Memorandum of 19 September 2014, Package of Measures of 12 February 2015). There is no alternative to these Minsk agreements. The Trilateral Contact Group, together with the representatives from certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk, is ready to step up its efforts in the spheres of security, political, humanitarian and economic issues.

Statement of the Trilateral Contact Group

The Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) and the representatives of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk of Ukraine welcome the determination of all participants in the Minsk process to ensure full compliance with the ceasefire, in connection with the upcoming Easter holidays, which will enter into force on Saturday, April 1 2017, at 00 hrs. 00 min.

Participants also agreed to substantially speed up the procedure of crossing the line of contact at entry-exit checkpoints, inter alia through increasing the number of staff, and to extend the opening hours of these crossing points in the morning and evening hours starting from 1 April.”