OSCE SMM Chief Monitor: Recent developments in Donbas are positive, but full ceasefire required
Ukrinform
Despite the positive impact of recent disengagement in the three agreed areas and the reconstruction of a bridge near Stanytsia Luhanska, a comprehensive ceasefire remains an essential element for progress, the Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, Yaşar Halit Çevik, has said.
He said this in his address to the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna on February 6, the OSCE press service reported.
The ambassador noted that overall, the disengagement process remained on track in the pilot areas, and discussions in the Trilateral Contact Group’s Working Group on Security Issues continued to reach an agreement on the identification of new disengagement areas.
“More efforts on mine action and the opening of new entry-exit checkpoints along the contact line are needed to alleviate the hardship civilians face every day,” Çevik said.
He also emphasized that the SMM continues to experience restrictions to its freedom of movement, which hinders its ability to fulfill its mandated tasks.
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