Contact Group in Ukraine concerned about increasing ceasefire violations in E. Ukraine

MINSK, March 27 (Xinhua) -- The Trilateral Contact group (TCG) in Ukraine is concerned over the increased number of ceasefire violations in the conflict zone in eastern Ukraine, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe's (OSCE) Special Representative Martin Sajdik told reporters on Wednesday.

Ertugrul Apakan, the head of the OSCE special monitoring mission to Ukraine, stressed the need for additional measures to ensure the safety of civilians, in particular humanitarian demining, following the TCG's meeting in Minsk.

Apakan said the achievement of peace is one of the main topics of the pre-election discussion in Ukraine, which is scheduled to hold presidential election on Sunday.

"This shows that our work here, in Minsk, is essential. Many people in Ukraine expect a true result from us. And the OSCE and I personally will make every effort to achieve this goal," Sajdik added.

The diplomat welcomed the fact that 60 prisoners who were not connected with the conflict were transferred from the Luhansk region to the territory controlled by the Ukranian government on March 20.

The next meeting of the contact group in Minsk is scheduled for April 10.

The TCG is a group of representatives from Ukraine, Russia and the OSCE to facilitate a diplomatic solution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine.