OSCE Permanent Council decided on extension of OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk for one month

VIENNA, 22 October 2014 – Today all 57 OSCE participating States decided by consensus to extend the mandate of the OSCE Observer Mission at the Russian checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk for one month until 23 November 2014.

The Mission was initially launched on 29 July 2014 following a consensus decision of the OSCE Permanent Council on 24 July, and was mandated for a period of three months.

The mandate of the Mission remains unchanged. Operating under the principles of impartiality and transparency, the observers will report on the situation, including movements across the Russian-Ukrainian border at the two Russian checkpoints.   

The Observer Mission will continue to consist of 16 civilian observers operating 24/7 in teams, and a small logistic and administrative support team. They will regularly report through the Chairmanship to the Permanent Council.