OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Lajčák strongly calls for a new recommitment to cease fire in eastern Ukraine

BRATISLAVA, 19 April 2019  - OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Slovak Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Miroslav Lajčák today expressed his deep regret that the Trilateral Contact Group and its Working Group on Security Issues were not able to agree yesterday on a recommitment to cease fire in eastern Ukraine on the occasion of the upcoming Easter festivities.

Alarmed by the ceasefire violations, the Chairperson-in-Office stressed the urgent need to not only recommit to a renewed truce, but agree on a sustainable and irreversible ceasefire.

“Every day, people in eastern Ukraine are suffering hardships. It is the duty of the sides to guarantee a safe and secure environment and it is a key precondition for any positive development, including improving the dire humanitarian situation,” Lajčák said.

The Chairperson-in-Office strongly urges the sides to continue their discussions in order to achieve and maintain a recommitment to cease fire.