Madame Chair,
Norway aligns with the statement made by Slovenia on behalf of the EU and a number of other states, but wants to add a short comment in its national capacity on the incidents in Donetsk.
We appreciate the news that the SMM observers in the Park Inn hotel in Donetsk, one of them a Norwegian national, seem to have been able to resume their duties this morning. However, we condemn the unacceptable confinement of the last few days and call on all parties to do its utmost to solve the situation and prevent similar events in the future. In particular we urge Russia to use its considerable influence on the armed formation it backs in this regard.
I would also like to thank the chair, the Secretary General and the SMM as a whole for everything done to solve the situation.
Thank you