Mandate of OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk extended to 31 January 2017

VIENNA, 5 October 2016 – The OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna late yesterday extended the mandate of the OSCE Observer Mission at the Russian border checkpoints of Gukovo and Donetsk by three months to 31 January 2017.

The mandate of the Mission remains unchanged. Operating under the principles of impartiality and transparency, the observers will monitor and report on the situation at the two Russian checkpoints, as well as on the movements across the border.

The Observer Mission is composed of 20 Border Observers including the Chief Observer. The Mission is supported administratively by the OSCE Secretariat in Vienna.

Flavien Schaller, the Chief of the Observer Mission, will continue to provide regular reports through the Chairmanship to the Permanent Council.

The Mission has been on the ground since 29 July 2014 following a consensus decision of the OSCE Permanent Council.