Poroshenko says Customs Union leaders support logic of his peace plan for eastern Ukraine
MINSK. Aug 27 (Interfax) - The peace process in eastern Ukraine was the central item on the agenda of the Minsk negotiations held Tuesday, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said.
"I can tell you that the peace plan's logic has finally gained support of every chief of state without exception," Poroshenko told reporters after he had visited Minsk to meet with the presidents of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan.
The Ukrainian president said he had had "very difficult negotiations" in Minsk. He thanked the EU representatives for their support to Ukraine during the negotiations. "We have demonstrated that the main purpose of our arrival in Minsk is peace," Poroshenko said, adding that the peace process in Ukraine had been the primary objective of the negotiations.
In turn, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton reaffirmed the European Union's support to the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine. She said she was hopeful the negotiations had been very useful and very important.
The negotiations centered on two keynote matters, i.e. the provision of peace and security, including the termination of hostilities in eastern Ukraine, and economic aspects of the implementation of the Ukraine-EU association agreement, Ashton said.
