OSCE Special Monitoring Mission’s Principal Deputy Chief Monitor Alexander Hug to visit eastern Ukraine

KYIV, 9 October 2017 – The Principal Deputy Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine Alexander Hug will travel to eastern Ukraine from 10 to 14 October. The purpose of his visit is to assess the security situation along the contact line and its impact on civilians and to evaluate pending repair projects for critical infrastructure. Moreover, he will encourage all concerned to work towards peace and normalization of the situation, in particular through meetings with senior government officials, representatives of the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination, senior members of the armed formations and other relevant interlocutors.

During the visit, Hug will join OSCE monitors as they patrol locations along the contact line. Journalists are invited to join Hug on these patrols.

He will also hold news briefings, the exact time and locations of which will be communicated via social media (@OSCE_SMM, www.facebook.com/oscesmm) in due course.

Media representatives need to take care of their own travel arrangements and accommodation as well as their access and ability to work in the area. Please note that the Mission cannot provide security or access guarantees for the media.

Journalists wishing to join Hug during the visit should contact:

Mariia Aleksevych: +380 50 381 51 92; e-mail [email protected]; [email protected]