News and press releases

On 1 May, the SMM was not allowed access to its observation post located 4km north-west of Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol) where members of the battalion on the ground took position (See SMM Daily Report 2 May, 2015).

KYIV, 2 May 2015- The Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), Ambassador Ertugrul Apakan, today expressed his deep concern about an increase in incidents over the past 36 hours, involving live fire near and at SMM patrols.

This report is for the media and public The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. The SMM, based on its monitoring – which was restricted by third parties and by security considerations* – observed ongoing fighting in and around Donetsk airport, in the environs of Shyrokyne, and – to a lesser extent – in a number of other places. The SMM observed military movement on both sides of the contact line. Azov volunteer battalion members occupied an SMM observation point near Shyrokyne. Numerous peaceful rallies were held throughout the country.

PARIS, 30 April 2015 – The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs (Ambassadors Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, James Warlick of the United States of America, and Pierre Andrieu of France) traveled to Paris to meet with Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian, and separately with Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov. The Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, also participated in the meetings...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the Implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by third parties and security considerations*. Fighting continued around Donetsk airport and Shyrokyne. The SMM observed military movement on both sides of the contact line.

SARAJEVO, 30 April 2015 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić completed on Wednesday a two-day visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). During his visit, Dačić met BiH Presidency members Mladen Ivanić, Bakir Izetbegović and Dragan Čović, Foreign Affairs Minister Igor Crnadak, Chairperson of BiH Council of Ministers Denis Zvizdić, Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik and Federation of BiH President Marinko Čavara. During his meetings with senior state officials in Sarajevo, he highlighted the important role that Bosnia and Herzegovina plays in promoting regional co-operation and commended the government for its commitment to undertaking the necessary socio-economic reforms...

VIENNA, 30 April 2015 – Strengthening co-operation and co-ordination between the UN, regional organizations and civil society in responding to crises and peace-building is critical, experts concluded at a two-day, high-level international conference which closed today in Vienna. The conference, focusing on strengthening peace and security co-operation towards democracy and development, brought together some 60 experts and practitioners to discuss the root causes of conflicts in their regions, and their role in building strong and inclusive democratic institutions...