Foreign ministers from the 57 members of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) discussed the conflict in Ukraine at a rare informal meeting in the Slovakian town of Vysoke Tatry on Tuesday.
“The OSCE can build bridges. Bridges both politically and very practically. We see this at work right now in Stanytsia Luhanska in Eastern Ukraine. The only crossing point along the heavily armed contact line for miles around,” said OSCE Secretary-General Thomas Greminger. “The OSCE has worked to build sufficient trust between the sides so that since last week sides have moved the positions back and tensions around the area have eased”, he added.
It’s the first OSCE’s meeting in two years in a format that allows ministers to exchange opinions in preparation for an official summit in December.