Brussels, 06/11/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 5 November, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini called, on behalf of the European Union, for implementation of the Minsk agreements of 5 and 9 September, after the unrecognised elections in the people's republics of Donetsk and Luhansk (Ukraine) on 2 November.
“In order to find a sustainable political solution to the crisis in eastern Ukraine through dialogue, the EU urges all parties to fully implement the Minsk protocol and memorandum swiftly”, she said in a press release.
Mogherini “once again” underlined Russia's responsibility “in this context” and called “in particular” for a withdrawal of illegal and foreign forces, mercenaries and military equipment, as well as for securing the Ukrainian-Russian border with permanent monitoring under OSCE control. In Mogherini's view, the EU is particularly concerned about the continuing violation of the ceasefire, the resulting loss of lives and increasing numbers of internally displaced persons. Over 4,000 people have died since the start of the conflict and more than 930,000 have been displaced inside the country or in neighbouring countries - mainly Russia.
As on 2 November (see EUROPE 11190), Mogherini recalled that the holding of the presidential and parliamentary elections in the people's republics of Donetsk and Luhansk was “illegal and illegitimate” and that the EU would not recognise them. “These so-called 'elections', as well as any acknowledgment or recognition of them, are in breach of the letter and the spirit of the Minsk protocol”, she said, calling on Russia “to assume its responsibility in this regard”.
The EU called on all sides “to work” towards early local elections in these regions in accordance with Ukrainian law, as foreseen in the Minsk protocol, “as the only legal and legitimate means of renewing the democratic mandate of the local authorities”. Such elections are scheduled for 7 December.