Press Statement of Special Representative of OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) Sajdik after Meeting of TCG and its working groups

MINSK, 21 August 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 21 August 2019:

“The ceasefire that had been agreed by the TCG and entered into force on 21 July 2019, continues to yield results. Compared to other recommitments to ceasefire, this one has been the most effective.

Today, thirty days after its start, the average figure of ceasefire violations continues to be significantly lower compared to this indicator before the ceasefire took effect.

Also, according to the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission, since the beginning of the ceasefire, no civilian casualties due to shelling have been recorded, although, unfortunately, one person was injured. This clearly proves the importance of the ceasefire agreements by the TCG.

Once again, I urge all the sides to continue to fully comply with these obligations, especially with a view to the beginning of the school year.

The main topic of today’s discussion in the TCG was the repair works of the bridge at Stanytsa Luhanska. The TCG participants agreed on the necessary further steps in this regard. In particular, already tomorrow the sides shall exchange written messages via myself about the completion of mine clearance and readiness to begin repair works, including the dismantling of fortifications. By the way, I have just received such messages from the Ukrainian side.  

In addition to the issues of ceasefire and the situation in Stanytsia Luhanska, the Security Working Group also discussed the topic of renewal of the disengagement of forces and hardware in Zolote and Petrivske.

The Economic Working Group, among other topics, continued to deal with water supply issues in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions (CADR and CALR), in particular, with the financial situation and preparations for the international audit of the ‘Voda Donbasa’ company.

The Humanitarian Working Group continued to discuss the questions related to an exchange of detainees.

The Political Working Group, as at the previous meeting, continued to discuss the traditional topics on its agenda related to the implementation of the ‘Steinmeier formula’, amnesty and local elections in CADR and CALR”.