The President
To: Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the OSCE participating States
30 March 2021
Dear Ministers,
As its mandate is set to expire tomorrow, 31 March 2021, I would like to share my deep
concern should the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine be forced to curtail
its operations.
As we have made clear through public statements and our annual declarations, the OSCE
Parliamentary Assembly is deeply appreciative of the work conducted by the SMM, often in
critical conditions, and which have been made even more difficult by the ongoing COVID-19
pandemic. Our Members are grateful for our regular interactions
with the SMM’s Chief
Monitor, which have informed our debates and provided a clear picture of the situation in and
around Ukraine.
Through multiple visits to Kyiv and in the field in eastern Ukraine, our Members have
witnessed first-hand the SMM’s
added value in reducing tensions, facilitating dialogue, and
alleviating the suffering of civilians trapped in the conflict zone. Its mission is indispensable to
bring about peace and stability in Ukraine through the full and sustainable implementation of
the Minsk Agreements.
In 2014, despite deep political divisions, our 57 participating States agreed by consensus
to establish this Special Monitoring Mission, and on six occasions they have agreed by
consensus to extend its mandate. Given the precarious situation on the ground, now is not the
time to politicize this issue. I would therefore urge all OSCE participating States to renew our
collective pledge once again and allow the SMM to carry on with its crucial work.
Yours sincerely,
Peter Lord Bowness
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