Ambassador Grau calls for simultaneous opening of Shchastia and Zolote crossing points
She made the following statement to the press after regular meetings of the TCG and its Working Groups.
“The Humanitarian Working Group discussed the operational details of the future functioning of the entry-exit crossing points (EECPs) on the contact line near Zolote and Shchastia of the Luhansk region. Mindful of the interests of civilians in the conflict zone, I urge the participants of the TCG to take early action to resolve all open questions on the way to the simultaneous opening of these EECPs,” she said.
According to Grau, during the Working Group's discussions, issues of the mutual release and exchange of conflict-related detainees were also duly considered.
“Participants in the Security Working Group meeting discussed the conditions for carrying out repair and reconstruction works at the gas distribution station near the city of Marinka, including the possibility of assistance by the OSCE SMM in coordinating the necessary security guarantees and ensuring enhanced monitoring of the works,” reads the report.
In addition, the general security situation in the conflict zone, the observance of the ceasefire regime and the effectiveness of the co-ordination mechanism for responding to its violations were discussed.
As reported by Ukrinform, Russian occupation forces continued to block road corridors opposite the Shchastia, Zolote, Hnutove, Mayorske and Marinka entry-exit checkpoints. The actual passage of citizens is allowed only through the Stanytsia Luhanska entry-exit checkpoint every day and through the Novotroitske checkpoint twice a week on Monday and Friday, when Russian militants unblock the traffic to the road corridor.
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