'Normandy Four' affirms commitment to full implementation of Minsk agreements - declaration

24.06.2015 09:56

Ukrinform

The "Normandy Four" has issued a joint declaration to state that the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine met on June 23, 2015 in Paris to discuss the cease-fire agreement and the political process in Ukraine in a way to ensure full implementation of the Minsk agreements.

The text of the joint statement, issued by the French Foreign Ministry, is available to Ukrinform.

"We have updated information on observance of these [Minsk] agreements, we reaffirmed our commitment to their full implementation," the ministers noted.

All four ministers expressed their "deep concern over deteriorating security situation in Donbas" and "called for early de-escalation and immediate ceasefire to begin the progress in political, humanitarian and socio-economic fields."

The parties also reached several agreements. In particular, they called on all parties to completely withdraw the heavy weapons.

"We welcome the meeting of the working group on security issues, scheduled for July 2, and urge the parties to agree on withdrawal of tanks and 100mm cannons before June 26. This must be done in the coming weeks," the document says.

The parties also agreed to introduce and implement the plan of de-escalation near Shyrokyne, Donetsk region, as a first step towards a broader demilitarization along the demarcation line.