EU Ambassador to Ukraine: Elections in the Donbas are possible only with the participation of Ukrainian parties and Ukrainian media
According to the Head of the European Union Delegation to Ukraine, Hugues Mingarelli, local elections in the separatist-held areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions are possible if they include the participation of Ukrainian parties and Ukrainian mass media, which should cover the elections.
In his interview with UNIAN news agency, while answering a question concerning the statements of German Ambassador to Ukraine Ernst Reichel that elections in the Donbas are possible even in the presence of the Russian army, Mingarelli stressed that these elections are possible only if OSCE standards are observed.
"Local elections can be held when the necessary conditions for holding elections meet the OSCE criteria, which means that Ukrainian political parties should be able to nominate candidates and participate in the election campaign, and the Ukrainian media should be able to cover the elections," Mingarelli said.
The diplomat also said that the participants in the talks on the peaceful settlement of the conflict in the Donbas should reach a political decision that will allow for the holding these elections.
"And then, on this basis, Ukraine should gradually regain control over these territories with the assistance of the international community," the EU ambassador added.
According to the diplomat, the European Union wants to be actively involved in the restoration of the Donbas.
"We would like to be at the head of the restoration of social and economic infrastructure in the Donbas as soon as a political solution is found," Mingarelli said