OSCE welcomes mission’s extension

BELGRADE – The March 12 decision by the Vienna-based Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to extend the mandate of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) and allocate necessary resources confirms the support and commitment of all 57 participating states to implementing the Minsk agreements and to the mission, said OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Serbia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Ivica Dačić. “We must seize the momentum if we are to reach the goal which I am certain we all share, to see the end of hostilities, verify the withdrawal of heavy weapons, and boost national dialogue that leads to a normalized situation and better life for all those affected by the conflict,” he said. At the same time, he said, “It is crucial for all parties to ensure unfettered access to our monitors and to guarantee their security, which is the prerequisite for the SMM to implement its mandate on the ground.” The decision extends the mandate of the SMM until March 31, 2016. It further allows for the number of SMM monitors to be increased from the currently approved level of 500 up to 1,000, as necessary, according to the situation and the needs on the ground. (OSCE)