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EU security policy must be "developed together with Russia, not against it": Merkel

Xinhua, March 31, 2015 Adjust font size:

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday stressed the importance of communicating with Russia on European security policy issues.

Speaking at a press conference after talks with Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb here, Merkel said that security policy must be "developed together with Russia, not against it."

She underlined the need to maintain communications with Russia, she had done together with French President Francois Hollande in peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Merkel highlighted the view that the EU has been able to appear united and resolute through the Ukraine conflict.

Among European Union members, Finland has the longest joint border with Russia.

Merkel also met Finnish President Sauli Niinisto on Monday and attended a seminar at the Helsinki University on the Ukraine crisis and European security.

Merkel said Germany has been willing to show solidarity to other countries during economic crises, but at the same time demanded that those receiving assistance must show initiative in solving their problems.

Merkel's Christian Democratic Party (CDU) is a sister party of the Finnish Conservative party. Her visit to Finland has been seen by some as a gesture to lend a helping hand to the Finnish conservatives in the election campaign. Finnish parliamentary elections will take place in April. Enditem