MINSK, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The participants of the contact group on Ukraine failed to agree on additional sites for the separation of forces and assets in Donbas, Heidi Grau, special envoy of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to the contact group, told reporters on Thursday.
The negotiators spent a lot of time and effort on the issue of identifying additional areas for the separation of forces and assets, but it still needs to be improved, Grau said following the meeting of the contact group in Minsk.
Grau also recalled the ceasefire violation that occurred in Luhansk region. Recent events cannot but disturb, the diplomat said. The ceasefire is a key provision of the Minsk agreements, she added.
The civilian population again paid a high price, the official said. She urged the parties to the conflict to adhere to the complete ceasefire.
The special envoy said the parties also discussed issues of mine clearing, prisoners exchange, payment of pensions, water supply, as well as the implementation of the Steinmeier formula in Ukrainian legislation.
The next meeting of the contact group on Ukraine will take place on March 11.
