Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 16 January (BelTA) – The provisions of the Minsk Agreements have been agreed and they must and can be implemented, said Principal Deputy Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine Alexander Hug, BelTA informs with reference to the OSCE website.

“There is no alternative to the Minsk Agreements and implementing this document is needed and desirable,” said Alexander Hug as he visited Kominternovo and Shirokino in Donetsk Oblast.

Assessing the general security situation in the region, he saw the damage caused by a recent shelling incident that reportedly took place in Kominternovo. He also met the residents of the village. “One of the basic aims of Minsk is to create a security zone. Children, women and men in Kominternovo rely on forces on both sides to make this a reality. However I hardly need to spell it out: this zone is still full of danger,” said Alexander Hug.

He stressed that all the parties should stay committed to the agreement. Alexander Hug also noted that the SMM is ready to support the sides in its implementation. “The SMM is strengthening its presence in eastern Ukraine not only geographically by opening new Forward Patrol Bases, but also by technical means. Today I saw a SMM camera that recently went into operation in Shirokino, giving us a 24/7, 360° view of the area,” said Alexander Hug.