Press Statement of Special Representative of OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Sajdik after Meeting of Trilateral Contact Group on 10 April 2019

MINSK, 10 April 2019 – 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 10 April 2019:

“Discussion of the overall security situation and preparation for the announcement of the ceasefire on the occasion of Easter holidays formed the basis of today's activities of the Security Working Group.

As a result, the TCG agreed on the need to declare this ceasefire and agreed to hold an additional videoconference on 18 April 2019 to finalize the details of this ceasefire.

Experience shows that the sides’ political will is essential for an effective and long-lasting ceasefire. When it is the case, it can be easily achieved.

Moreover, the Working Group on Security discussed additional measures to strengthen the ceasefire and humanitarian demining.

The participants of the Economic Working Group expressed their concern over the situation the "Voda Donbasa" company in connection with power supply disruptions early this month.

Once again, I urge the sides to ensure the safety and sustainable operation of the "Voda Donbasa" company and all other vital civilian infrastructure facilities.

The Co-ordinator of the Humanitarian Working Group, Ambassador Toni Frisch, presented the results of his visit to the detention centres in the east of Ukraine on both sides of the contact line as of April 3 to 9. During the visit, he met detainees, their relatives and friends, as well as relatives of missing persons”.