OSCE Chair calls for restraint by all sides in Ukraine

BERN / VIENNA, 22 January 2014 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter today expressed his deep concern about the situation in Ukraine, appealing to all parties to refrain from violence and engage in peaceful dialogue as a necessary first step towards resolving the ongoing crisis.

“I urge all sides to refrain from violence and to seek to stabilize the situation through dialogue involving all parties,” said Burkhalter. “I am deeply concerned about the reported casualties and my thoughts are with the families of the dead and injured”, he continued. “As Chairmanship of the OSCE, Switzerland is ready to assist Ukraine to find a peaceful political way out of this crisis.”

Burkhalter said: “We call upon the Ukrainian authorities to do their utmost to prevent further escalation of tensions, carry out investigations promptly, and bring those responsible for the casualties and violence to justice.”

Burkhalter said: “The OSCE has the necessary tools and the mechanisms to act as an impartial broker in such situations, and it is ready to support the Ukrainian authorities in order to lower tensions and prevent further escalation.”