News and press releases

VIENNA, 11 May 2015 – Growing interdependence arising from accelerating globalization and the increasingly transnational character of security threats confer a new role to regional organizations, said the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs and Co-operation José Manuel GarcÍa-Margallo in his address to the OSCE Permanent Council today. He added that Spain believes that the OSCE is a key instrument in consolidating peace and foster prosperity in the Euro-Atlantic, Euro-Asian and Euro-Mediterranean regions.

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the Implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by security considerations and in two instances through delayed access to heavy weapons holding areas*. SMM monitors came under machine gun fire from a Ukrainian Armed Forces soldier in the Luhansk region. Heavy fighting was heard by the SMM in and around Shyrokyne on 10 May. Fighting around Donetsk airport continued, though at a reduced level compared with previous days. The SMM observed 9 May commemorations in many cities, some of which included displays of heavy weapons...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the Implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by third parties and security considerations.* Compared to previous days, the situation at Donetsk airport and Shyrokyne remained during daylight relatively calm. The SMM observed several official ceremonies for the “Reconciliation and Commemoration Day” throughout Ukraine passing peacefully.

BELGRADE, 8 May 2015 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić today called on all sides in eastern Ukraine to ensure that commemoration events scheduled for this weekend are peaceful.

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. The SMM, based on its monitoring – which was restricted by third parties and by security considerations* – observed ongoing fighting in and around Donetsk airport and Shyrokyne. The SMM observed the presence of heavy weapons on both sides of the contact line, noting in particular a large concentration of tanks in a “DPR”-controlled area north-east of Mariupol...

KYIV, 8 May 2015 – The Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine Ambassador Ertugrul Apakan today urged all sides to ensure a lasting ceasefire during the commemoration events scheduled for this weekend...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the Implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by third parties and security considerations.* The SMM continued to observe ceasefire violations in and around the area of Donetsk airport and Shyrokyne. In Odessa the SMM observed approximately 100 protesters threatening to storm the office of the Department of Internal Security...