Germany, Poland Lead Way In Stance On Russian Sanctions
Germany and Poland are in a pole position to lead the way to stronger ties with Ukraine. The two countries confirmed their stance on sanctions against Russia during a meeting in Warsaw attended by the two heads of state.
‘Angela Merkel and Polish Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz also agreed in their assessment of the conflict in Ukraine. There is currently no reason to ease sanctions on Russia, declared Ewa Kopacz. Angela Merkel added that Germany and Poland aim to help Ukraine to develop such that people can enjoy greater prosperity and most importantly such that Ukraine can be stabilised again’ reads a note released on Tuesday.
The parties also discussed common positions in preparation to the Eastern Partnership Summit to be held in May in Riga. Meanwhile, several Eastern European countries are holding meeting with European officials. Prime Minister Victor Ponta paid a working visit to Strasbourg, where he met the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz, and four European Commissioners. They exchanged views also on the Energy Union.
At the same time, also on Tuesday, the European Commission praised Kiev for its efforts and its reforms.
“Important steps have already been taken, such as launch of the work of constitutional commission, progress in the decentralisation process, adoption of a new gas market law and progress in reducing regulatory and licensing requirements to facilitate business” President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker said on Tuesday.
On Monday, Junker and European Council’s President Donald Tusk met with Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko. In a joint statement, they reported progress on negotiations between Russia and Ukraine brokered by the European Union.
‘The leaders welcomed the progress in the trilateral talks between the EU, Ukraine and the Russian Federation on the delivery of gas from Russia to Ukraine with the goal to increase the security of gas supply for Ukraine and its citizens as well as ensuring stable, sufficient and uninterrupted transit of gas to the EU’ reads the joint declaration released at the end of the meeting.