Press Statement by the Trilateral Contact Group

KYIV, 26 September 2014 - The Trilateral Contact Group of senior representatives of Ukraine, the Russian Federation and of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office held a video conference on 25 September with representatives of self-proclaimed entities in Donetsk.

The discussion took place in a constructive atmosphere. It was held as a follow-up to the signature of a Memorandum on the implementation of the cease-fire regime in Minsk on 19 September, as well as to the Minsk Protocol from 5 September.

All participants shared the assessment that violence has subsided in recent days, with the situation along 70% of the contact line being calm. They agreed that this positive trend must be pursued and that they will spare no efforts to strengthen the cease-fire and make it more sustainable.

Members of the Trilateral Contact Group underlined the need for the Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) of the OSCE to be given the opportunity to monitor the entire cease-fire region, according to its mandate. They urged the representatives of self-proclaimed entities in Donetsk to undertake maximum efforts to ensure the security of OSCE/SMM monitors, to which these representatives committed.

The participants also raised questions concerning the rehabilitation of the economic infrastructure in the region, such as water and energy supply and railway links. They agreed to continue discussing these issues in the near future.