Donetsk, Jul 31 – DAN. The stabilization on the contact line that has been observed since the ceasefire came into force augurs soon reestablishment of parity in the disengagement zones, the DPR Foreign Ministry said.
"The significant decrease of shelling incidents number and absence of their aftermath augur reestablishment of parity in the disengagement zones in Petrovskoye (DPR) and Zolotoye (LPR) on the side of the Ukrainian armed formations."
DPR Foreign Minister Natalia Nikonorova said that the Ukrainian delegation to the Minsk talks had agreed to harmonize the process and the sides had scheduled a date for that purpose, August 21, when the next Contact Group meeting is due.
LPR and DPR representatives initialed a Framework Agreement on pullback of forces in Donbass on September 21-23, 2016, which was also signed by representatives of Ukraine, Russia and the OSCE. The document provides for three disengagement areas around Zolotoye, Stanitsa Luganskaya (LPR territory) and Petrovskoe (DPR territory). Security zones of at least zone two km wide and two km long are to be established in each sector.
The Framework Agreement is key to further bilateral withdrawal of forces from the contact line which could significantly contribute to the peaceful settlement in the region. *ot