I welcome the fact that in a first reading, the Verkhovna Rada has today voted by a large majority for an amendment to the constitution which provides special arrangements for local self-government in eastern Ukraine. This is an important precondition for local elections to be held on the basis of Ukrainian legislation in the Donbas as well.

The amendment to the constitution would be a decisive step towards improving rule-of-law structures in Ukraine. Kyiv is thus also making a significant contribution to the implementation of the Minsk agreements.

We hope that the constitutional reform can now be adopted quickly.