DNIPROPETROVSK. Feb 12 (Interfax) - The head of the Special Monitoring Mission of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE SMM) in Ukraine, Ambassador Ertugrul Apakan, has stressed that the OSCE is planning to increase the number of its observers in Ukraine to 500 by the end of February.
Speaking at a press conference in Dnipropetrovsk on Thursday, Apakan said that the SMM has increased in numbers since it began in March 2014, when 20 observers arrived. He said that by the end of February the number of international observers is expected to increase to 500, of which 350 will be working in the eastern parts of Ukraine.
Their task will be to monitor compliance with the ceasefire, he said. If more observers are needed for border monitoring, the personnel will be re-distributed and the OSCE will employ additional resources, if need, the SMM head said.
He also said that today the total number of people employed by the SMM is around 1,000 people, including about 400 Ukrainians (assistants, lawyers and political experts).