Press Statement of Special Representative of OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Sajdik after Meeting of Trilateral Contact Group on 4 December 2018

MINSK, 4 December 2018 – 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 4 December 2018:

“Despite the efforts of the TCG and the sides’ guarantees, tensions in and around the conflict zone have not declined.

Instead of looking for a peaceful solution to the conflict, the sides seem to be moving in the opposite direction.

I am deeply concerned about this situation, and once again I urge the sides to do their utmost to prevent any escalation.

In the Security Working Group, the participants further considered additional measures for ensuring a sustainable ceasefire and prepared for renewed ceasefire in connection with the Christmas and New Year holidays.

The Economic Working Group discussed such topics as water deliveries in the "Karbonyt" and "Voda Donbasa" supply systems as well as payments of pension for the residents of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions (CADR and CALR).

The Humanitarian Working Group continued discussion on the issues related to the exchange of detainees. Besides, preparations for the envisaged transfer of detainees not related to the conflict from CADR and CALR to the territory controlled by the Ukrainian government were carefully considered.

The Political Working Group continued exchanges on its traditional agenda – the implementation of the ‘Steinmeier formula’, amnesty and the modalities of local elections in CADR and CALR as stipulated by the Minsk agreements.”