OSCE to find a way to renew work of Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine — MP Poturaiev

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe will find a way to renew the work of the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, and they will do it despite all russia’s efforts to block the mission’s return. Mykyta Poturaiev, Member of Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Head of the Permanent Delegation of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly spoke about this at a briefing at Media Center Ukraine.

“Our relations with the OSCE are very good. The memorandum on Ukraine’s cooperation with the OSCE was ratified back in the 1990s, and it has the status of an international treaty. Not every country has done so. And because of this, in particular, and because of the harshness of the situation, and because of the steadfast position of our state, the Organization will find a way to renew the work of the Mission in Ukraine,” — Poturaiev said.

The People’s Deputy explained that at the moment the work of the Mission in Ukraine is blocked by the efforts of russia, which, in particular, hinders its funding.

“russia cynically and brazenly blocked the OSCE Standing Committee, a body where the ambassadors of the participating countries hold meetings. The rule of consensus applies there, that is, one country can block any decision,” — Head of the Permanent Delegation of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly explained.

As reported, the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) in Ukraine was created on March 21, 2014 at the request of the Ukrainian government to the OSCE and based on the consensus decision of 57 OSCE member countries. The mandate of the mission was extended every year, with its last year-long period taking place from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022. After the russian invasion into Ukraine, the mandate of the OSCE SMM was not extended due to russia’s position. At that time, the SMM was the largest mission in the OSCE, with the personnel of 1,291 people.

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