Berlin and Paris see progress in implementation of Minsk agreements

France and Germany have welcomed the positive, in their view, developments in the implementation of the Minsk agreements and hope that progress would be made during the Normandy Four summit.
This is underscored in the joint statement of the two countries following the meeting of the countries’ governments in Toulouse, France, on Wednesday. The statement was released on the website of the Federal Chancellor of Germany.

"We welcome the latest positive developments in the implementation of the Minsk agreements and look forward to the next meeting in the Normandy format in Paris which should make progress in settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine," the statement reads.

The parties reiterated their position on illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia.

At the same time, they reaffirmed their commitment to continue the dialogue with Russia on the basis of general principles of the European Union, including arms control.

As emphasized, Germany and France work together for peace and stability, sharing the opinion that diplomacy and international law are paramount for lasting solutions to complicated crises which affect European security.

As reported back in August and September, French President Emmanuel Macron declared that the Normandy Four summit would be held in the "coming weeks."