Red Cross to become mediator in prisoner exchange, OSCE to help in property return

The International Committee of the Red Cross may become mediator in the prisoner exchange and OSCE will settle the issue of larceny of Ukrainian property.

OSCE Representative in the Trilateral Contact Group on the settlement of conflict in eastern Ukraine Martin Sajdik expressed such an opinion of the Group’s  subgroup on humanitarian issues in Minsk on Wednesday, Interfax-Ukraine news agency reports.

“Subgroup on humanitarian issues expressed such an opinion: the International Committee of the Red Cross can be an effective mediator in prisoner exchange and the issue of missing persons in Donbas. It is believed to provide objectivity in the assessment of the extent of the problem on both sides,” he said.

He also said that the subgroup on economic issues discussed in Minsk on Wednesday the set of issues concerning larceny on the occupied territories in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

“The issue of larceny of Ukrainian property, both public and private was discussed. Subgroup on economic issues members agreed to ask OSCE to be a mediator in the process of solving this problem,” he said.

He also informed about some positive changes in the process of salary payment for railway workers in some areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

However, according to Sajdik there are still some problems in the reconstruction of railway facilities.

He also said that there were some positive changes in the matters of water supply in Donbas.

Sajdik also noted that resumption of work of the coal mines in Donbas should be carried on.