Off the wire
• Zambia main opposition party says will not attend inter-party talks  • Zambia embarks on China cultural promotion roadshows  • Syrian air strike targets IS-held cave in Aleppo, killing dozens  • Jack Ma to work with Thai government to help small business, boost e-payment  • Amputee football players to play in Ghana to promote peace  • China's Xinjiang Culture Week opens in Laos  • Spotlight: OPEC seeks global consensus on cutting oil output  • Greek hosts aim high for 34th Athens Classic "Authentic" Marathon  • Fire breaks out on roof of Berlin landmark  • Interview: China's success in poverty eradication an inspiration in Africa: experts  
You are here: 　 Home

Hollande urges more action in Ukraine as efforts to set Minsk peace deal linger

Xinhua, October 12, 2016 Adjust font size:

French President Francois Hollande on Tuesday asked for more diplomatic push to fully implement Minsk peace accord, adding that progress towards a political end to the issue was at slow pace.

"The progress (to implement ceasefire accord) is too slow and we have to move forward to meet political and security conditions that will allow to hold as soon as possible elections in the east of Ukraine according to Ukrainian law and in line with international standards," Hollande told a gathering at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.

The French leader said "personally committed, with German Chancellor (Angela) Merkel, to find a diplomatic solution," to the Ukrainian conflict.

"I'm ready with Chancellor Merkel, to meet at any time ... (Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin and (Ukrainian) President (Petro) Poroshenko to ensure full implementation of the Minsk agreement," he added, calling on Kiev to assume responsibilities in setting needed reforms to promote stability.

In February 2015, Kiev and Moscow agreed on a peace deal including a comprehensive ceasefire, withdrawal of heavy weapons from the frontline of fighting, release of captives, amnesty to detained insurgents and restoration of the Ukrainian government control over the state border.

However, continued clashes in the zone have dashed hopes to fully implement the accord brokered by French and German leaders. Endit