Events

MINSK, 20 September (BelTA) – The next session of the contact group on resolving the conflict in Ukraine’s east will take place in Minsk on 4 October, BelTA learned from Martin Sajdik, the OSCE’s special representative in the trilateral contact group on Ukraine in Minsk.

According to the diplomat, on 20 September the subgroup on economic affairs focused on discussing water supply. Among other things the subgroup touched upon the security of critical water supply installations.

“As for repairing the bridge in Stanitsa Luganskaya is concerned, there is hope that the Ukrainian side will finally agree to getting the project of the International Committee of the Red Cross implemented,” noted Martin Sajdik.

The subgroup on political affairs continued discussing the Steinmeier formula and its implementation. The subgroup on humanitarian affairs once again talked over the exchange of prisoners of war.

“Today our overall attention was directed towards maintaining the endless ceasefire. These matters were in the center of attention of the subgroup on security and the trilateral contract group on Ukraine,” added the OSCE representative.

Asked about the probability of the United Nations sending peacekeeping forces to take care of security of the OSCE’s special monitoring mission in Donbass, Martin Sajdik explained that the matter lies outside the scope of the trilateral contact group on Ukraine. The diplomat admitted he welcomes the proposal although it cannot be considered outside the Minsk agreements. “Whether it will help implement the Minsk agreements or not will be the decisive point for me,” concluded Martin Sajdik.