OSCE PA Vice-President Doris Barnett.COPENHAGEN, 24 June 2014 – OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Vice-President Doris Barnett (MP, Germany) today welcomed the announcement by separatists in eastern Ukraine that they will observe a temporary ceasefire proposed by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.

“A ceasefire in eastern Ukraine is a welcome step that hopefully gives diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis some room to work,” said Barnett.

“I also echo OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Didier Burkhalter in commending Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko for his original announcement of a ceasefire and his efforts to promote a peaceful end to this chapter. All parties that exercise influence in the conflict, including the government of Russia, must do their utmost to encourage disarmament and dialogue and make the most of this opportunity,” Barnett added.

The OSCE PA Vice-President also encouraged the Russian and Ukrainian PA Delegations to follow through on their commitment to continue talks aimed at defusing tensions during the Assembly’s upcoming Annual Session in Baku, which runs from 28 June to 2 July. It was Barnett’s proposal that brought about an initial meeting of the Delegations hosted by the OSCE PA, which took place in Vienna in April. 

The situation in Ukraine will also feature in resolutions to be considered by OSCE parliamentarians during the Session and will be the topic of a Special Debate on 1 July. For the full draft programme of the Annual Session, click here.