Events

MINSK, 3 September (BelTA) - The talks of the Russia-Ukraine-OSCE contact group on 1 September that was also attended by representatives of the self-proclaimed republics highlighted the issues of ceasefire and the control of the Ukrainian-Russian border, runs the press release posted by the OSCE on 2 September, BelTA has learned.

The participants discussed the present general situation in the conflict zone in eastern Ukraine, with particular attention to ideas and proposals, submitted respectively by the Ukrainian authorities and representatives of the self-proclaimed entities. In particular, they concerned the establishment of a sustainable ceasefire combined with an effective control of the Ukrainian-Russian border, the OSCE said. The meeting also focused on economic rehabilitation of the areas affected by the armed conflict.

Apart from that, the participants of the meeting discussed the release of persons detained in the course of the conflict as well as the issue of additional humanitarian assistance for the civilian population in areas affected by the conflict. In this context, the participants hailed the release of 50 detained persons, which took place in August 2014 as well as the ongoing efforts aimed at providing humanitarian assistance to the conflict-affected areas, in accordance with the relevant international standards and a possible involvement of the International Confederation of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The contact group agreed with representatives of the self-proclaimed entities that they will continue consultations and cooperation on the above and other issues and will hold another meeting at the end of this week, the OSCE said.