OSCE Chairperson Linde appoints Mikko Kinnunen as Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group

STOCKHOLM, 19 July 2021 — The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde announced today the appointment of Ambassador Mikko Kinnunen from Finland as the OSCE Chairperson’s Special Representative in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group. Ambassador Kinnunen will take up his new position upon the departure of Ambassador Heidi Grau, who currently holds the position and will leave her duties on 31 July.

Chairperson-in-Office Linde thanked Ambassador Grau for her dedication and important work to reach concrete achievements towards the full implementation of the Minsk agreements.

“I am confident that Ambassador Kinnunen will continue the excellent work carried out by his predecessor, Ambassador Grau, who has facilitated the meetings of the Trilateral Contact Group with outstanding diplomatic and mediation skills,” Linde said.

Contributing to conflict resolution in the OSCE region is at the top of the Swedish Chairpersonship’s agenda, said Linde. “As Chair, Sweden recognizes the vital efforts of the Special Representative and the Trilateral Contact Group with respect to the situation in and around Ukraine and will seek to contribute to a sustainable political solution in line with the OSCE’s principles and commitments, with full respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.”

She stressed that Sweden will continue to support the role of the Special Representative during the year as Chair and thereafter as a member of the OSCE Troika.