Merkel, Steinmeier see eye-to-eye on Donbas peace process - German ambassador to Ukraine
KYIV. Sept 12 (Interfax) - German Ambassador to Ukraine Ernst Reichel does not think that German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier maintain different stances on resolution of the Donbas conflict.
"Judging by the personal experience of my work in Berlin, I can say that this feeling is wrong. The federal chancellor and the federal minister, as well as their subordinates, thoroughly coordinate their actions," he told Interfax in an interview.
Communication in the 'Normandy format' (Germany, Ukraine, France and Russia) is being conducted at various levels, between ministers and various officials, and reasonable work would have been totally impossible without close cooperation, the diplomat said.
The German and French foreign ministers, Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Jean-Marc Ayrault, will visit Kyiv in the 'Normandy format', Reichel said.
"The two ministers will be paying the visit in connection with the 'Normandy format' negotiations, which is why both of them will travel. In addition, Federal Minister Steinmeier is presiding at the OSCE. Therefore, fulfillment of the Minsk agreements and activity of the OSCE SMM to Ukraine monitoring the Donbas ceasefire will be highlighted," the ambassador said.