BERLIN, March 8. /TASS/. Germany’s Foreign Ministry welcomes a new ceasefire deal in the Donbass area in east Ukraine and Berlin intends to continue its efforts for the truce observance for a long period, a ministry spokesman said on Friday.

"We welcome the new truce deal agreed by the parties to the conflict in east Ukraine," Germany’s Foreign Ministry said. "It is important that this deal should bring noticeable changes to the life of people at the scene of events."

"We will continue to insist that the truce be observed for a long period and be stabilized by specific steps," the ministry stressed, adding that these measures should include the pullout of heavy armaments, the disengagement of forces at the contact line and mine clearance.

"Even if progress requires efforts, the Minsk accords remain a roadmap for achieving peace in east Ukraine," Germany’s Foreign Ministry stressed.

Participants in the subgroup on security earlier agreed via a video conference the so-called ‘spring ceasefire in the Donbass area. The ceasefire deal entered into force from 01:00 a.m. Moscow time on March 8. Russia’s Envoy in the Contact Group on Settling the Conflict in East Ukraine Boris Gryzlov stressed the contribution by mediators - OSCE representatives and the Russian Federation - to the new ceasefire agreement.