TCG fails to agree on measures to improve security situation in eastern Ukraine – Grau

Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), Ambassador Heidi Grau, said this in a statement after the regular meetings of the TCG ‎and its Working Groups held through video conferencing on June 23.

“Ceasefire violations were in the focus of the Security Working Group and the TCG. I regret to say that it was not possible to agree on concrete measures that could improve the security situation. The participants exchanged proposals for a joint document on the coordination and verification mechanism, however they could not reach consensus. An attempt to advance the discussion with regard to demining was also ineffective," Grau said.

The Political Working Group continued informal consultations. "Nevertheless, for quite some time now it has not been possible to find a constructive approach and fulfil the task of the TCG to develop an action plan in full compliance with the Minsk agreements. I would like to note that in this case procedural issues prevail over discussion of concrete measures," the ambassador noted.

The participants of the Humanitarian Working Group had an in-depth discussion as regards the exchange of conflict-related detainees, paying particular attention to the aspect of “procedural clearance”. The remaining obstacles to the simultaneous opening of the new crossing points near Zolote and Shchastia in the Luhansk region were also duly considered.

Discussions in the Economic Working Group focused on water supplies, pension payments and property rights. Particular attention was also paid to environmental issues, in particular the possible establishment of an expert group on flooded mines. In this context, the participants were able to agree on a number of important procedural issues.

In recent weeks, the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) has observed a deterioration of the security situation in the disengagement areas. "Also, the Mission continues to record the use of heavy weapons deployed in violation of the withdrawal lines. In addition, there are continued restrictions and other impediments to the freedom of movement of the OSCE SMM as well as targeting its unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This precludes an effective implementation of the Mission's mandate," Grau said.

As reported, following agreement reached at the meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group on 22 July 2020 regarding additional measures to strengthen the ceasefire, from 00:01 on 27 July 2020 until 23 June 2021, the SMM has recorded at least 36,494 ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions (including 11,436 explosions, 6,134 projectiles in flight, 234 muzzle flashes, 122 illumination flares and at least 18,568 bursts and shots).

ish