Peace in Ukraine a top priority for Albania's OSCE chairmanship - Rama

22.01.2020 14:00

Ukrinform

Contributing to the peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine is an utmost priority for the Albanian OSCE Chairmanship in 2020, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Albania's Prime Minister and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Edi Rama, has said.

"Contributing to a peaceful resolution is an utmost priority of the Albanian OSCE Chairmanship in 2020. That is why I wanted to start my official visits with Ukraine, within my first month in the role," Rama said after a two-day visit to Ukraine.

According to him, the "crisis in and around Ukraine" is the most pressing challenge to the security and stability in Europe today.

During his stay in Kyiv, Rama met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk, Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko and Parliament Speaker Dmytro Razumkov. Rama also welcomed the decisive action undertaken by the Ukrainian leadership towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict. He committed to actively strive to ensure respect for OSCE principles and commitments and full implementation of the Minsk agreements by the sides.

"Our aim – first and foremost - must be to ensure a full and sustainable ceasefire. In 2020, we will endeavour to improve the security situation and the daily lives of the people living in conflict-affected areas," Rama said.

After meetings in Kyiv, the Chairperson-in-Office visited eastern Ukraine on January 21, to gain first-hand experience of the security and humanitarian situation in the conflict-affected areas, and to observe the practical impact of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) on the ground. Visiting the repaired and reopened bridge in Stanytsia Luhanska, Rama called it "an excellent illustration of what political goodwill can achieve, and how improved security and the easing of people's hardship go hand in hand."

Rama expressed strong support to the efforts of the Normandy Format and the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG).

"The resumption of dialogue and the outcomes of the Normandy summit are steps in the right direction. Nevertheless, there is much more to be done. It is a long road ahead to lasting peace. My Special Representative in Ukraine and in the TCG, Ambassador Heidi Grau, will be exploring how best to move the process forward," he said.