OSCE Chairmanship Special Representative Erler praises OSCE’s comprehensive approach to security in Ukraine

KYIV, 3 November 2016 - As part of a three-day visit to Ukraine, the Special Representative of the German OSCE Chairmanship Gernot Erler visited the Patrol Hub of the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) in the city of Sievierodonetsk in eastern Ukraine on Wednesday. In both Sievierodonetsk and in Kyiv, he also took part in dialogue events of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine, Vaidotas Verba, and met with representatives of Ukrainian ministries and local authorities of the Luhansk region.

Referring to several meetings with civil society activists that completed the programme of his visit, Erler stressed: “The commitment, solidarity and perseverance of civil society in Ukraine are truly impressive. It is an inspiration for us all to continue our support for a peaceful future of Ukraine.”

After a briefing by OSCE monitors on the security and humanitarian situation in the conflict area and on the disengagement process, Erler commended their professional work and said: “The recent harassment and outright attacks against SMM monitors are unacceptable. They add to a number of impediments to the work of the Mission, including constant restrictions of freedom of movement, especially around the disengagement areas.”

Erler urged that all sides must fully guarantee the security and safety of the SMM monitors and equipment and ensure their unfettered access throughout the conflict area. “The Mission must be able to fully implement its mandate and to carry out the role foreseen in the Minsk agreements and the framework agreement on disengagement.”

In Sievierodonetsk, Erler also took part in the ‘Reconstruction through dialogue’ forum, that was organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine on the needs and issues of conflict-affected communities in eastern Ukraine. The dialogue event allowed participants to gain further insights into the comprehensive OSCE contributions to building trust and promoting dialogue between central government institutions, local authorities and grassroots initiatives.

“I am convinced that the Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine makes a valuable contribution to the implementation of Ukraine’s reform agenda,” Erler said, referring to more than 30 projects by the Co-ordinator that cover a wide array of activities.

“The co-operation and interaction of OSCE field operations, such as the Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine and SMM, and OSCE institutions like the Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the High Commissioner on National Minorities and the Representative on Freedom of the Media work very well in Ukraine and deserve our full support.” Erler noted that this broad co-operation is a good example for the comprehensive nature of the OSCE’s approach to security.

Erler also had meetings with members of the Ukrainian Parliament (the Verkhovna Rada) including the Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada, and, in the framework of PCU dialogue events, with representatives of the Ministry for the Temporarily Occupied Territories and Internally Displaced Persons, as well as National Police authorities.