News and press releases

Kamensk-Shakhtinskiy, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall number of border crossings by persons increased at both BCPs...

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine, Vaidotas Verba and Dmytro Shymkiv, Deputy Head of Ukraine President’s Administration of President of Ukraine, who is also Secretary of the National Reforms Council (NRC), met on 27 September 2016 in Kyiv to discuss continuing support to the country’s reform agenda. National Reforms Council is a consultative body created under the President of Ukraine to plan, promote and track implementation of reforms...

The SMM recorded slightly more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions, including 24 and five explosions respectively (compared with 21 and one explosion on 25 September, respectively). The Mission monitored in the vicinity of disengagement areas of Petrivske, Stanytsia Luhanska and Zolote and noted demining activity on both sides of the contact line. The SMM observed heavy weapons in violation of withdrawal lines and heavy artillery beyond withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line, and armoured combat vehicles in the security zone. The SMM monitored the presence of mines and unexploded ordnance in populated areas. The Mission was restricted in its freedom of movement, including in disengagement areas near Petrivske and Zolote...

KYIV, 27 September 2016- As part of introducing a newly reformed neighbourhood police force in Ukraine, a first group of 140 cadets began an education course implemented by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine. The official opening ceremony of the training took place today at the Kyiv Centre for Police Training...

ASTANA, 27 September 2016 – An OSCE-supported regional discussion on trade facilitation through enhancing regional transit for public and private sector representatives from Central Asia and the South Caucasus as well as specialized trade and transport organizations began today in Astana...

ASTANA, 27 September 2016 – The OSCE-supported two-stage Canine Explosive Search Training Programme co-organized by the Austrian Ministry of Internal Affairs, the OSCE Programme Office in Astana and the US Embassy in Kazakhstan concluded today in Astana...

Twenty youth activists from across the OSCE region participated in a workshop on countering hate crime organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) from 25 to 27 September 2016 in Warsaw.