2nd LD: Merkel, Hollande call for extending EU sanctions against Russia

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande called for an extension of European Union (EU) sanctions against Russia here on Tuesday.

As the implementation of the Minsk Agreement in the Ukraine conflict is "very slow", it will be "necessary" to extend the sanctions against Russia once again, Merkel said on Tuesday during a meeting with Hollande at the chancellery in Berlin.

Hollande also said that "there are always the same blockades" in the conflict, adding that the Minsk Agreement should continue to be applied. "If there is no effort, no progress," he said, he will be in favor of extending the sanctions "like the Chancellor."

Merkel said: "We would like to see that we would continue to implement this process."

Meanwhile, the two leaders also called for a clear signal from the coming EU summit in Brussels to support the suffering people in Syrian Aleppo.

Merkel said it is necessary to ensure that the civilians are protected at all levels and that humanitarian aid becomes accessible.

Hollande demanded that everything must be done to bring the civilian population out of the east of Aleppo and create humanitarian corridors.

In view of the "fragile situation" particularly in the Mediterranean region, Merkel said that Germany and France would advocate at the summit for a prompt settlement of the planned migration partnerships with African countries following the example of the EU-Turkey Agreement. Endit