News and press releases

Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region. The SMM followed up on reports of a woman and a boy injured due to shelling in Sentianivka. The Mission recorded a ceasefire violation inside the disengagement area near Zolote. It observed weapons in violation of the withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line. The SMM saw anti-tank mines for the first time near Vodiane and Pikuzy. The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential civilian infrastructure. Restrictions of the SMM’s access continued in all three disengagement areas. In addition, it was restricted at a checkpoint near Novolaspa and at a heavy weapons holding area in a non-government-controlled area of Donetsk region, as well as near Zaichenko, Izvaryne and Sievernyi close to the border with the Russian Federation.*

Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and Luhansk region. The SMM saw fresh damage to a residential building in Chermalyk, as well as fresh craters close to residential buildings in Sentianivka. The Mission saw military presence inside the Petrivske disengagement area. Small-arms were fired in the direction of an SMM unmanned aerial vehicle near Lozove. It observed weapons in violation of the withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line. The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential civilian infrastructure. Restrictions of the SMM’s access continued in all three disengagement areas. In addition, it was restricted at a checkpoint near Verkhnoshyrokivske and near Dovzhanske close to the border with the Russian Federation.*

Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region. Small-arms fire was directed at an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle near Nevelske. Near the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge, the SMM saw the body of man. The SMM observed ceasefire violations inside the Zolote disengagement area. The SMM observed weapons in violation of the withdrawal lines in non-government-controlled areas. The Mission observed mines near checkpoints on both sides of the contact line. The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential civilian infrastructure. Restrictions of the SMM’s access continued in all three disengagement areas. In addition, it was denied access at a checkpoint near Zaichenko...

SKOPJE, 28 March 2019 – Some 60 judges from North Macedonia, Croatia, Montenegro, Poland, Serbia and Slovenia, gathered in Skopje today to discuss preconditions and challenges the Western Balkan countries face on the path towards the application of European judicial standards in their countries...

Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The SMM saw fresh craters in Sentianivka and damage to a house in Marinka. The Mission recorded ceasefire violations, including explosions, inside the Zolote disengagement area. Inside the same area, it also observed military presence and hardware, as well as anti-tank mines across road T-1316. It observed weapons in violation of the withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line. The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential civilian infrastructure. Restrictions of the SMM’s access continued in all three disengagement areas. In addition, it was restricted at a checkpoint near Verkhnoshyrokivske, in a non-government-controlled area of southern Donetsk region...

VIENNA, 26 March 2019 – Economic connectivity in the OSCE region, trade facilitation, co-operation between state bodies and the private sector were the focus of a workshop hosted by the Office of the Co ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) today in Vienna...

LUXEMBOURG CITY, 26 March 2019 – OSCE PA President George Tsereteli (MP, Georgia) and Secretary General Roberto Montella are visiting the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to finalize with the Chamber of Deputies the agreement to hold the Parliamentary Assembly’s 28th Annual Session in Luxembourg City.