OSCE Chair calls for stopping confrontation in eastern Ukraine
On April 13, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter called upon all sides to move the situation away from confrontation and to act responsibly in order to reduce tensions and avoid further violence in eastern Ukraine, the OSCE's official website reported.
Referring to reports of OSCE monitoring teams from the Special Monitoring Mission on the ground, Burkhalter expressed his concerns over a number of incidents in various parts of the Donetsk Oblast and in Kharkiv.
In the light of recent developments, most notably in Slavjansk where clashes occurred and OSCE monitoring teams are also following the course of events on the ground, the tense situation could spiral in a menacing direction, he said. Therefore, everyone should refrain from actions which might fuel tensions further and trigger hardly controllable dynamics, he continued.
All sides should be aware that the issues at stake cannot be solved through violence, but must be addressed in a democratic and lawful manner in order to find sustainable and lasting solutions, Burkhalter confirmed.
Everyone must respect the state monopoly on the use of force, Burkhalter emphazised; at the same time it is essential that law enforcement ensure a measured and appropriate response, he underlined.