OSCE - Joint statement by the spokespersons of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of France and Germany (17 September 2021)

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France and Germany deplore end of mandate of OSCE Border Observation Mission at the Russian-Ukrainian Border

France and Germany deplore the decision of the Russian Federation against the renewal of the mandate of the OSCE Border Observation Mission, established at the Russian checkpoints of Gukovo and Donetsk.

For seven years, the Mission has been providing objective information on the situation at the Russian-Ukrainian border enhancing transparency and building confidence. Its closing will irrevocably undermine the monitoring of the state border, which is provided for by the Minsk Protocol of 5 September 2014.

The establishment of the Mission and the endorsement of its mandate had been initiated by the foreign ministers of the Normandy Format with the aim of improving the security situation and strengthening mutual trust. We call on the Russian Federation to engage constructively in our joint efforts aimed at finding a lasting solution to the conflict.