INTERPRETATIVE STATEMENT UNDER

PARAGRAPH IV.1(A)6 OF THE RULES OF PROCEDURE

OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND

CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE

By the Delegation of Ukraine:

“Mr. Chairperson,

In connection with the adoption of the PC decision on the extension of the mandate of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, the Delegation of Ukraine would like to make the following interpretative statement under paragraph IV.1 (A) 6 of the Rules of Procedure of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

Ukraine expresses its gratitude to the OSCE participating States for the positive response to the request of the Government of Ukraine to extend the mandate of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission for the period of twelve months.

The Government of Ukraine regards the adoption of this decision as the practical response of this Organization to assist the country in countering the severe consequences of the aggression pursued by the Russian Federation against Ukraine in breach of imperative norms of international law, the Helsinki Final Act, bilateral and multilateral agreements, which guarantee Ukraine’s territorial integrity, inviolability of borders and non-intervention in internal affairs of Ukraine.

We see as critically important the role to be played by the OSCE and the SMM in the process of seeking a peaceful resolution in the east of Ukraine, based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Ukraine continues to strongly support the SMM in monitoring the implementation of all relevant provisions of the Minsk agreements.

In this connection we stress that the Minsk agreements include the Minsk Protocol of 5 September 2014, the Minsk Memorandum of 19 September 2014 and the Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk agreements of 12 February 2015. These Minsk documents establish the agreed commitments undertaken by the same signatories, including members of the Trilateral Contact Group that represent Ukraine, the OSCE and the Russian Federation. They constitute the political framework for peaceful resolution in the east of Ukraine, must be treated equally, implemented fully and in good faith by all parties.

We regret that we are unable to adopt a Permanent Council Declaration in support of SMM in view of unconstructive position of the Russian Federation. The Russian delegation objected inclusion in the document of the call for full implementation of the Minsk agreements of September 2014 as expressed in the PC Declaration of 20 January 2015 which was adopted by consensus of all 57 OSCE participating States. In particular, it relates to implementation of the “Protocol upon results of consultations of the Trilateral Contact Group concerning joint steps, aimed at implementation of the Peace Plan of President of Ukraine P.Poroshenko and initiatives of President of Russia V.Putin” of 5 September 2014.

In view of the current developments in the eastern regions of Ukraine, we underline the importance of strengthening the capacities of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, including with technical means, in order to ensure effective monitoring and verification of implementation of the Minsk arrangements, in particular those related to the ceasefire, the withdrawal of heavy weapons and border monitoring.

The OSCE monitors must have full and unhindered access throughout Ukraine’s territory.

Ukraine affirms its interpretative statement appended to the Permanent Council Decision No. 1117 of 21 March 2014 which remains in force. The mandate of the mission covers the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, including the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.

The Delegation of Ukraine requests that this statement be attached to the decision and recorded in the journal of the day.

Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.”