US Permanent Representative to the OSCE, Ambassador Daniel Baier, asked the Permanent Council of the Organization to support Ukraine's proposal to hold local elections in the occupied territories in the east.

He stated this on Thursday, reports "Ukrinform".

"As we approach the end of 2015 - the period established by the Minsk package of measures, we need to progress now more than ever. It is time for Russia and its separatists immediately commit itself on the proposals of Ukraine on holding local elections in some parts of Donetsk and Lugansk regions - elections in full accordance with Ukrainian legislation and international standards", - he stressed.

In particular, according to him, it is about ensuring the free participation of Ukrainian political parties, civil society, media, and monitoring by the OSCE ODIHR.

bbabo.Net