News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) Daily Report 96/2020 issued on 23 April 2020
Publishing date: 23 April 2020
Summary Compared with the previous reporting period, the Mission recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region. The Mission’s passage continued to be denied at checkpoints of the armed formations near Horlivka, Donetsk region and south of the Stanytsia Luhanska
OSCE Permanent Council held online in a historic first
Publishing date: 23 April 2020
VIENNA, 23 April 2020 – For the first time in its history, the OSCE Permanent Council was today held online. Complying with measures and restrictions introduced by the OSCE and the Austrian host authorities in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, delegations of the 57 participating States and 11 Partners for Co-operation held their first meeting via videoconference...
Continued fighting amid COVID-19, an even greater concern, OSCE SMM Chief Monitor tells Permanent Council
Publishing date: 23 April 2020
KYIV, 23 April 2020 – In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has brought about a dramatically changed situation for all of us, the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine continues to focus on the implementation of the Mandate while also ensuring the reduction of risks for the local population and the protection of Mission members, the Chief Monitor of the OSCE SMM, Yaşar Halit Çevik, said today in his video address from Kyiv to the OSCE Permanent Council...
Comprehensive security approach needed for global response to COVID-19, OSCE leaders say ahead of International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace
Publishing date: 23 April 2020
TIRANA/COPENHAGEN/VIENNA/WARSAW/THE HAGUE, 23 April 2020 – The International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace tomorrow will be marked with a heightened appreciation for the importance of comprehensive security and greater sense of urgency for the need to strengthen international co-operation, said the Chair of the OSCE Permanent Council and heads of OSCE institutions in a statement today...
OSCE parliamentarians focus on economic security fallout of COVID-19 pandemic in first-ever webinar
Publishing date: 23 April 2020
COPENHAGEN, 23 April 2020 – Some 85 participants joined the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s first webinar on the COVID 19 crisis on Wednesday, focused on the economic security fallout of the pandemic. Experts and parliamentarians shared views and lessons learned throughout the OSCE region and discussed the way forward for economic recovery...
OSCE SMM Chief Monitor Çevik pays tribute to SMM medic who died in the cause of peace
Publishing date: 23 April 2020
KYIV, 23 April 2020 – Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine Yaşar Halit Çevik today paid tribute to SMM medic Joseph Stone, who, while on patrol, tragically lost his life three years ago when an SMM armoured vehicle was struck by an explosion, most likely caused by an anti-tank mine in a non-government controlled area near Pryshyb in Luhansk region.
Parliamentary security committee leaders recall 2017 death of OSCE monitor in Ukraine, lament restrictions on monitors’ movement
Publishing date: 23 April 2020
COPENHAGEN, 23 April 2020 – On the somber occasion of the third anniversary of the death of a member of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, senior OSCE Parliamentary Assembly officials called for an end to harassment and restrictions placed on international monitors in Ukraine, respect for principles of the Helsinki Final Act, and the restoration of Ukrainian territorial integrity...