Foreign Minister of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin met with the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Vienna on 14 January.

Minister Klimkin expressed full support for the priorities of the German Chairmanship of the OSCE in 2016, in particular, in maintaining the focus on the settlement of the conflict in Donbas.

The parties discussed the implementation of the Minsk agreements. The Ukrainian Minister has provided compelling evidence of systematic flagrant violations of the Minsk agreements by militants, including the use of heavy weapons that must have been withdrawn. Emphasis was placed on the need to ensure full and unhindered access of the OSCE SMM to the territories which are not under control of the Government of Ukraine, including along the Ukrainian-Russian state border. This factor and achieving comprehensive ceasefire will play a crucial role in advancing the settlement of the conflict in the east of Ukraine. Pavlo Klimkin noted the need for further strengthening of the OSCE to facilitate conflict resolution as well as for effective joint efforts with other international organizations that have the necessary experience and resources.

Photo - @GermanyDiplo