National Security and Defense Council: Elections in occupied Donbas possible after de-occupation only

The press service of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine released the corresponding statement.

According to NSDC Secretary Oleksiy Danilov, the efforts of the Ukrainian authorities are aimed at the implementation of the Minsk agreements and Ukraine's stance is based on the priority of the principle of territorial integrity and sovereignty over temporarily occupied parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as Crimea.

"These are our territories, where our people live. Elections in the temporarily occupied territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions can be held only after its de-occupation and in accordance with Ukrainian legislation and OSCE standards," he said.

The NSDC Secretary also noted that the Normandy format meeting scheduled for December 9 "is not only the most important event of Ukraine's foreign policy but also the highest priority on the European security agenda."

The Normandy Four leaders' meeting will be held in Paris on December 9. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed he would present the idea of holding local elections in accordance with Ukrainian laws at the same time throughout Ukraine in the fall of 2020.

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