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Kurz: Austrian chairmanship aims to contribute to resolution of conflicts in OSCE area

18 January 2017 12:52 (UTC +04:00)

Austria’s OSCE chairmanship aims to contribute to resolution of conflicts in the OSCE area, Austrian Foreign Minister, OSCE Chairman-in-Office Sebastian Kurz told a news conference following a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Wednesday, APA’s Moscow correspondent reported.

“Above all, we aim to help resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine,” Kurz said.

The OSCE chair said he pad a visit to the region in early January.

“I paid a visit to the region on January 3-4 to get acquainted with the situation there. I should note that the situation on the contact line of troops is quite deplorable. Many people are suffering from this situation. Civilians are leaving the region,” Kurz said, stressing the need for OSCE’s involvement in the region to contribute to improving the living conditions of the civilian population.

“I think Moscow bears great responsibility in this matter. Moscow is able to solve this task. At the same time, OSCE must contribute to restoration of the ceasefire, as well as withdrawal of heavy equipment and weapons from the contact line of the troops,” he added.

Kurz noted that one of the priorities of Austria’s OSCE chairmanship is to improve the humanitarian situation in the region.

He also stressed the need to strengthen the OSCE observation mission in the region.

“The OSCE observation mission should be expanded and its technical skills should be strengthened. The observation mission should work throughout the day,” he added.

Kurz said he believes OSCE, which consists of 57 countries, will make significant contribution to resolution of conflicts by taking a single decision.