Mandate of OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk extended by three months

VIENNA, 7 July March 2016 – The OSCE Permanent Council extended today the mandate of the OSCE Observer Mission at the Russian border checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk. The mandate has been extended until 31 October 2016.

The mandate of the Mission remains unchanged. Operating under the principles of impartiality and transparency, the observers will monitor and report on the situation at the two Russian checkpoints, as well as on the movements across the border.

As of March 2016, the Observer Mission is composed of 21 Border Observers including the Chief Observer. The Mission is supported administratively by the OSCE Secretariat in Vienna.

Flavien Schaller, the Chief of the Observer Mission, will continue to provide regular reports through the Chairmanship to the Permanent Council.

The Mission has been on the ground since 29 July 2014 following a consensus decision of the OSCE Permanent Council.