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French, Ukrainian presidents stress need for Eastern Ukrainian reconciliation

Macron "confirmed France’s readiness to continue the work within the Normandy format, acting in cooperation with Germany"

PARIS, April 13. /TASS/. Settling the conflict in Eastern Ukraine remains an important security task for Ukraine and Europe, the French presidential administration said in a statement on the results of Friday talks between French President Emmanuel Macron and his Ukrainian counterpart Pyotr Poroshenko.

"During the talks, the President of the French Republic and President Poroshenko confirmed that settling the conflict in Donbass within the framework of the Minsk agreements dated September 2014 and February 2015 remained a priority matter for the Ukrainian and European security," the statement reads.

In this regard, Macron "confirmed France’s readiness to continue the work within the Normandy format, acting in cooperation with Germany."

"He pointed out at the pressing need for all sides to take urgent and concrete measures in order to restore the atmosphere of trust, necessary for holding negotiations. Those measures should primarily concern the implementation of a ceasefire deal, protection of civilian infrastructure, release of prisoners and assistance to the conflict-hit population of Ukraine," the statement reads.

During the meeting, the presidents also discussed bilateral relations and reforms in Ukraine.

Macron told his Ukrainian counterpart that the issue of Ukrainian reforms "remains a priority in the G7 agenda, chaired by France this year.".

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