Grau: Action plan on Donbas requires willingness to compromise

26.11.2020 11:56

Ukrinform

Progress on developing a draft action plan on Donbas conflict settlement in full compliance with the Minsk Agreements requires constructiveness and willingness to compromise.

Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), Ambassador Heidi Grau made a corresponding statement after the TCG meeting held on November 25 through video conferencing.

The Ambassador noted that owing to divergent views, the Political Working Group had been unable to advance in developing a draft action plan in full compliance with the Minsk Agreements. “Progress on this issue requires constructiveness and willingness to compromise,” Grau said.

She noted that, according to the assessments of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission, the ceasefire continued to be generally respected, but two civilians had been recently wounded as a consequence of shelling in the conflict zone.

“This was the first such occurrence since 27 July 2020. I urge the sides to do their utmost to respect the ceasefire,” the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine stressed.

As noted, these issues were in the focus of the Security Working Group's discussion on the overall situation in the conflict zone. In addition, the functioning of measures to strengthen the ceasefire and the coordination mechanism for responding to its violations were considered.

“The Humanitarian Working Group discussed the conditions for the future operation of the entry-exit crossing points (EECPs) on the line of contact near Zolote and Shchastia of the Luhansk region. The deliberations also concerned the issues of search for missing persons, as well as mutual release and exchange of conflict-related detainees. On the eve of the New Year and Christmas celebrations, progress in this respect could be a significant humanitarian gesture,” the statement reads.

As noted, the Economic Working Group focused on water supplies across the contact line in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Environmental issues were also discussed, as well as pension payments and social and other services for Ukrainian citizens residing in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine.