News and press releases

The SMM observed a lower number of ceasefire violations on 2 and 3 April respectively compared to 1 April, with similar levels recorded on both days in Donetsk region, but an increase was noted on 3 April in the area of Yasynuvata. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded no ceasefire violations. The SMM followed up on reports of shelling. The SMM visited border areas not controlled by the Government. The Mission encountered freedom of movement restrictions in areas not controlled by the Government, including in border areas.*...

PODGORICA, 4 April 2016- In response to articles carried in various media outlets, the OSCE Mission to Montenegro would like to clarify its role regarding the upcoming elections. While the Mission has contracted an international senior-level expert to advise the State Election Commission (SEC) on their technical preparations for the parliamentary elections anticipated for this autumn, the Mission does not observe elections...

More than 75 experts are taking part in an online forum being organized by the OSCE from 4 to 15 April 2016 on how to better prevent and manage terrorist kidnapping and hostage-taking cases. Training, the protection of victims and the role of media are topics particularly in focus...

CHERKASY, Ukraine, 4 April 2016 – A five-day training course for Ukrainian border control officers aimed at increasing their operational awareness to detect forged travel documents started today in Cherkasy. This course will be followed by an advanced train-the-trainer programme from 11 to 16 April 2016...

COPENHAGEN, 2 April 2016- Following reports of increased fighting along the Line of Contact in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Ilkka Kanerva (MP, Finland) and the OSCE PA Special Representative on the South Caucasus, Kristian Vigenin (MP, Bulgaria), today called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. They issued the following joint statement:...

The SMM continued to observe a high number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded a higher number of ceasefire violations than the previous day. The SMM followed up on reports of shelling. It facilitated the safe passage of civilians between Ukrainian Armed Forces and “LPR” checkpoints in Luhansk region. The Mission encountered freedom of movement restrictions in areas not controlled by the Government, including in border areas*...

BERLIN, 2 April- OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier is actively involved in the efforts to de-escalate the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. He is extremely concerned about the situation, as the ceasefire violations seem to have reached a new quality compared to previous years...