Press Statement by Special Representative Heidi Grau following the mutual release and exchange of detainees on 16 April 2020

KYIV, 16 April 2020 – Тhe Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), Ambassador Heidi Grau, made today the following statement:

"I welcome today’s mutual release and exchange of detainees related to the conflict in eastern Ukraine, pursuant to the decision of the Trilateral Contract Group taken on 8 April 2020, with the participation of representatives of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine.

This step, made in advance of the Orthodox Easter, has a special symbolic resonance. I do hope that it will contribute to strengthen trust between the sides while implementing other provisions of the Minsk agreements.

I want to express my appreciation to all the members of the TCG and participants in its meetings, to the TCG Working group on humanitarian issues and its Co-ordinator, as well as to all those whose contributions have made today’s mutual release and exchange possible.

Welcoming the achievement, I call on the sides further to make all necessary efforts for the peaceful settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine in line with the Minsk agreements.”