In the Working Group on Security Issues, under the co-ordination of Ambassador Ertuğrul Apakan, the sides discussed several proposals with a view to agree a joint statement of the TCG, with the participation of representatives of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine, confirming their recommitment to cease fire on the occasion of the upcoming Easter festivities.

“Unfortunately, no consensus could be found at this stage. The sides only agreed to continue their discussions during the next regular meeting of the TCG and its Working Groups in Minsk, on 24 April”, said ambassador Martin Sajdik.

OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Slovak Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Miroslav Lajčák expressed his deep regret that the Trilateral Contact Group and its Working Group on Security Issues were not able to agree on a recommitment to cease fire.

“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.

Sources: Press statement of of the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Press statement OSCE Chairperson-in-Office