Latvian FM: Peace in Ukraine should be priority for OSCE

“For five years, soldiers and civilians have been dying in Europe as a result of Russia's flagrant violation of Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity,” Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs said at the 25th OSCE Ministerial Council meeting in Milan on Thursday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

He stressed that illegal elections in so-called Donetsk and Luhansk people’s republics were a blatant violation of international and Ukrainian laws as well as the Minsk agreements.

 “The recent provocations of Russia, which illegally fired on and seized three Ukrainian ships near the Kerch Strait, were a demonstration of disrespect for the rule of law and maritime rights of Ukraine. We urge Russia to adhere to the international law, immediately release ships and crews, and ensure unhindered access to Ukrainian ports in the Sea of Azov,” the official said.

He reiterated Latvia’s strong condemnation of the illegal annexation of Crimea and city of Sevastopol.

 “The war in eastern Ukraine is increasingly harming peace and stability in Europe. The human rights situation in [occupied areas] of eastern Ukraine and Crimea is deteriorating to a very alarming level. That is why the achievement of a durable peace and settlement of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is very important and should remain the highest priority for the OSCE,” Rinkēvičs stressed.

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