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Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), Ambassador Martin Sajdik has said the implementation of the so-called "Steinmeier formula" was discussed in Minsk on November 12.

"The Political Working Group paid particular attention to the implementation of the 'Steinmeier formula.' In this context, the modalities of local elections in the certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine were duly considered," he said in a statement after the regular Meeting of Trilateral Contact Group in Minsk on November 12, 2019.

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As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on October 1 said the Ukrainian side at Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) talks in Minsk had responded to a letter from Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the TCG, Ambassador Martin Sajdik that the so-called "Steinmeier formula" on the peace settlement in Donbas was "pending approval."

"We responded to Mr. Sajdik's letter that we have been in the process of approval of the wording of the 'Steinmeier formula'," Zelensky said. "The 'Steinmeier formula' should be incorporated in a new law on special status [the law on special provisions of local self-government in certain districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions], which is not ready yet," Zelensky said.

The existing law on peculiarities of local government in Donbas expires on December 31, 2019. According to the president, a new law will be developed by parliament in close cooperation and open discussion with the public, and no "red lines" will be crossed.

On Oct 16, President Zelensky said it is too early to talk about the implementation of the Steinmeier formula in the new law on "special status" before the ceasefire is achieved, as well as the prisoner swap and the disengagement of forces.