News and press releases

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations – including, however, more explosions – in Donetsk region between the evenings of 10 and 11 February compared with the previous reporting period. The number of ceasefire violations recorded was higher between the evenings of 11 and 12 February, but included fewer explosions. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations – including, however, fewer explosions – between the evenings of 10 and 11 February compared with the previous reporting period. The number of ceasefire violations between the evenings of 11 and 12 February was similar compared with the previous 24 hours. The Mission followed up on a report of civilian casualties in Avdiivka. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* Its freedom of movement was further restricted, in particular in areas not controlled by the Government, including in an incident in which warning shots were fired near the SMM in Pikuzy.* The Mission observed a considerable number of weapons in violation of withdrawal lines, weapons beyond withdrawal lines but outside storage sites, and armoured combat vehicles in the security zone, particularly in areas of Luhansk region not controlled by the Government. The Mission observed the blockade of a railway crossing near Petrivka, and noted that the blockade of a railway track in Hirske continued. It visited two border areas currently not under government control...

BELGRADE, 13 February 2017 –OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz reiterated today in Belgrade the organization’s support to Serbia in building strong, independent, accountable and effective democratic institutions...

SKOPJE, 13 February 2017- OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Austria’s Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz, Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki, Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje Ambassador Nina Suomalainen and the Mission’s informal Youth Advisory Group exchanged views on youth perspectives in countering radicalization and violent extremism in a roundtable discussion hosted yesterday in Skopje...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission followed up on reports of civilian casualties. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* Its freedom of movement was further restricted, in particular in areas not controlled by the Government.* The Mission noted that the blockade of a railway track in Hirske continued. It visited one border area currently not under government control. The SMM followed up on reports of vandalism at an art exhibition in Kyiv...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period, and facilitated dialogue strengthening the ceasefire. The Mission followed up on reports of shelling on both sides of the contact line, and assessed impact sites in Stanytsia Luhanska, Toshkivka, and Peredilske as caused by fire from multiple-launch-rocket systems.

VIENNA, 10 February 2017 – A specialized workshop on Singapore’s anti-corruption experience and best practices concluded today in Vienna...

SARAJEVO, 10 February 2017 – The OSCE project team tasked with conducting a multi-country survey on the well-being and security of women in the OSCE region concluded a four-day visit to the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) today...