Mr. President,

China thanks USG Dicarlo, ASG Mueller, Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission, Ambassador Apakan and Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group, Ambassador Sajdik for their briefings.

China takes an objective and impartial position on the issue of Ukraine. We respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries including Ukraine and oppose interference in Ukraine's internal affairs by any external forces.

China is of the view that signing of the new Minsk agreement and the endorsement of the agreement by the Security Council in February 2015 have played a crucial role in politically mediating the crisis in Ukraine. Over the past 4 years, the authority of the Agreement has been highly recognized by all parties, but regrettably, many provisions of the Agreement have yet to be fully and concretely implemented. Efforts to politically mediate the crisis have stalled. In conflict areas, people's life and property safety are still hard to be effectively guaranteed.

We call on relevant parties to implement the new Minsk Agreement in earnest, remain committed to political settlement, resolve current problems through dialogue and consultation and seek a comprehensive solution to the crisis with a view to achieving peace, stability and development in Ukraine, harmony among its ethnic groups and peaceful coexistence between Ukraine and countries in the regions.

Thank you, Mr. President.