Mr. Chairman,

The Delegation of Ukraine warmly welcomes Ambassador Hido Biščević to the Permanent Council and thanks him for the presentation outlining the findings of the implementation of the National Dialogue project in Ukraine, including recommendations for enhancing dialogue in Ukraine.

From the very start of the current crisis in and around Ukraine we strongly supported the OSCE engagement with Ukraine in order to assist my country in addressing security concerns and provide the OSCE participating States with objective and reliable information on the ground.

Enhancement of the OSCE engagement results from specific requests of the Government of my country which is confronted with the illegal acts of aggression and subversion pursued by the Russian Federation towards Ukraine in grave breach of international law and the core OSCE principles and commitments.

We strongly supported the extra-budgetary project on National Dialogue in Ukraine, implemented within the mandate of the OSCE Project Coordinator in Ukraine upon the request of the Government of Ukraine, as an important tool of the OSCE assistance in fostering social cohesion and dialogue in my country.

Dear colleagues,

The Government of Ukraine is committed to promoting a broad inclusive political dialogue on constitutional reform and decentralization. This dialogue envisages involvement of all regions of Ukraine and political constituencies in the constitutional process.

We stand fully committed to enhancing dialogue with the people of the eastern regions of Ukraine as an important instrument to de-escalate the current situation and promote social cohesion in the country. We share the view that comprehensive, all-inclusive and sustained dialogue remains the most important foundation for peaceful resolution of the crisis. We also share the finding that for overwhelming majority of people, regardless of where they live and the language they speak, there are specific concerns they want to see addressed in the area of decentralization of power, in particular as to decentralized fiscal powers, greater powers for elected mayors and city councils and others. These issues are at the core of the Concept of decentralization of power, approved recently by the Government of Ukraine.

The Government of Ukraine will examine with great attention the findings and recommendations, contained in today’s presentation by Ambassador H.Biščević. As the constitutional reform is the priority of the Government of Ukraine, the process is Ukraine owned and driven, we will thoroughly consider how OSCE practical assistance, through the PCU, in facilitating public outreach can be effectively incorporated in the national strategy of the political dialogue.

We share the view on the high relevance of activities of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine in providing assistance and dialogue facilitation on the ground in order to defuse tensions and support efforts to strengthen national cohesion.

Dear colleagues,

Ukraine highly appreciates the strong stance that the OSCE has taken regarding the crisis in and around Ukraine and its resolution through diplomatic means with full respect to the OSCE founding principles and commitments, in particular respect to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

We once again express our gratitude to Ambassador Biščević for leading the work on the National Dialogue Project and for sharing the finding and recommendations which we will carefully study. The OSCE’s activities in Ukraine are an important part of the international community’s efforts to provide for a peaceful, diplomatic way of addressing security concerns, reducing tensions and assisting advancement of democratic reforms in my country.

Thank you, Mr.Chaiman.