OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Head of Serbian diplomacy Ivica Dacic in today's statement for “Tanjug” news agency voiced his concern over the escalation of the conflict in eastern Ukraine and appealed to all sides to immediately stop using heavy weapons in civilian-populated areas.

“I am deeply concerned about the escalation of the conflict in eastern Ukraine, particularly the use of heavy weapons, including unguided Grad missiles. All parties should comply with the cease-fire agreement and immediately stop using heavy weapons in civilian settlements”, said Dacic. Minister Dacic stated that a meeting of all signatories of the Minsk Documents should be held without delay, while all sides must pledge to ensure full respect and implementation of the provisions of those Documents.
“I would like to stress my full support for the efforts of my Representative on the Trilateral Contact Group, Ambassador Heidi Tagliavini, and urge all parties to go back to the negotiating table within the Trilateral Contact Group”, said the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office. The Minister urged all parties to fully respect the safety and security of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission observers on the ground, and to provide conditions so that they are able to perform their mandate effectively.