Dacic: Serbia ready to be honest broker

VIENNA - OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Ivica Dacic, who is also Serbia's foreign minister, on Thursday urged all sides in the Ukrainian conflict to fully adhere to the Package of Measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements, noting that it is an opportunity to de-escalate the conflict and put an end to civilian casualties, and that Serbia is ready to assume the role of an honest broker in the process.

"I strongly urge all sides to refrain from any action that might endanger the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, which came into effect on February 15 2015. Another opportunity for a peaceful resolution of the conflict should not be missed. For the effective support of the OSCE, it is crucial that all sides closely co-operate with the Special Monitoring Mission (SMM), respect and ensure their safety, security, unhindered access and freedom of movement of the SMM monitors on the ground," Dacic said.

"The implementation of the agreed package of measures by all parties is essential. The Special Monitoring Mission has the ability to assist in carrying out the provisions of these two instruments in full, and it has proven to be an invaluable and unique asset. The Trilateral Contact Group will contribute significantly to the implementation of the package of measures related to the Minsk arrangements and furthering the peace process," he explained.

"Creating conditions for dialogue and compromise must be a joint responsibility of all participating States as well as all OSCE Institutions and structures," Dacic said.

"To this end, I would like to commend the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly for its role in monitoring elections in Ukraine last year; also for creating an Inter-parliamentary Liaison Group on Ukraine that brings together...