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Steinmeier says situation in Donbass gives no chance for local elections

According to the top diplomat, firstly there is a need to ensure a ceasefire in Donbass

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier EPA/PATRICK SEEGER

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier

© EPA/PATRICK SEEGER

STRASBOURG, October 13. /TASS/. The situation in Donbass is still preventing the conduction of local elections, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Thursday at the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

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"I hope that we can succeed in laying the groundwork for achieving agreement on the (election) law," the minister said. "When it is agreed on, the security will have to be ensured so that the elections can be held. The conditions are not appropriate at the moment."

According to Steinmeier, there is a need to ensure a ceasefire in the country but "the work on the political measures package is way more difficult." Germany’s top diplomat particularly noted that some contradictions on the amnesty law, the status of Donbass and the local elections are still in play.

"We are struggling to build bridges between the supporters of different positions. We haven’t succeeded yet but I think efforts in this direction should be carried on," Steinmeier concluded.

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