11:45 28.12.2017

OSCE welcome exchange of detainees between Ukraine, self-proclaimed Donbas republics

2 min read
OSCE welcome exchange of detainees between Ukraine, self-proclaimed Donbas republics

OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Austria's Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl and OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger have welcomed the news of the large-scale exchange of prisoners and detainees in eastern Ukraine and urged the sides to build on this momentum in order to achieve further progress in reaching a peaceful resolution of the crisis in and around Ukraine.

"Allowing such a significant number of people, who have been held on both sides, to return home before the New Year and Orthodox Christmas is a very welcome development. Today's exchange is not only a humanitarian act but also a helpful step in confidence-building. We encourage the sides to continue their efforts to improve the life of people directly affected by the conflict," the chairperson-in-office said in a joint statement posted on the organization's website.

Greminger stressed that incremental steps such as this one can bring significant, tangible results. "Progress such as this is the result of tireless work facilitated by the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), and demonstrates the importance of this format. It is essential that the sides continue to work with the TCG in order to achieve sustainable progress towards peace."

Kneissl and Greminger stressed that the exchange of prisoners, together with the lower number of ceasefire violations during the last several days, represent a step forward. "Nevertheless, it is but one step and many others have to follow. We urge the sides to ensure a true cessation of hostilities in the coming days, as part of full implementation of the Minsk agreements," they said.

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