DONETSK. Oct 2 (Interfax) - The self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) views Kyiv's approval of the Steinmeier formula as a diplomatic victory and expects more work to be done in the coming period, DPR Foreign Minister Natalia Nikonorova told journalists on Tuesday.
"At today's meeting of the Contact group we finally achieved the first constructive step taken by Kyiv on the path of a political settlement. The readiness of Kyiv representatives to start implementing the mechanism of compromise offered by Mr. Steinmeier in 2015 has been formalized. The procedure for enforcing a Donbas special status law has been agreed upon. The law will temporarily enter into force on the day of election and will become permanent after the OSCE publishes the election report," Nikonorova said.
Despite multiple destructive statements from Kyiv, the DPR has managed to persuade it into approving the Steinmeier formula the way it was stated during Normandy-format summits, she said.
"This could rightfully be called a major diplomatic victory won at the Minsk talks, first and foremost because this step creates an opportunity for furthering a political settlement. What's more, Ukrainian representatives have met every condition set by Russia for holding a Normandy-format summit, which means it may take place in the near future," Nikonorova said.
At the same time, she said that the approval of the Steinmeier formula by the conflicting sides is an important but "purely symbolic step toward implementing political provisions of the Package of Measures."
"There is a great deal of work to be done, and its efficiency is essential for the outcome of the entire Minsk process," Nikonorova said.
"I will state emphatically that we are committed to the stance we have been advocating in Minsk for over four years. Every action and step crucial for the future of Donbas must be coordinated with its direct representatives," she said.