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Merkel: EU Association Agreements With Ex-Soviet Countries Not Anti-Russia

© AP Photo / Martin MeissnerAngela Merkel
Angela Merkel - Sputnik International
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel stated that the association agreements with Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova are not directed against Russia and also stressed the importance of maintaining a dialogue on trade cooperation between the EU and Russia.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives for the cabinet meeting in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014 - Sputnik International
Merkel: Russia Obstructing Moldova, Georgia, Ukraine Association With EU
MOSCOW, December 13 (Sputnik) – The association agreements between the European Union and some former Soviet countries are not directed against Russia, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a video podcast published on her official website Saturday.

“It is clear – the association agreements with Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova are not directed against Russia; on the contrary, this is about closer links between the economic areas. And in this regard, Russia should not be excluded,” Merkel said, adding that the EU would like to have good partnership relations with Russia.

Merkel also stressed the importance of maintaining a dialogue on trade cooperation between the EU and Russia, as well as between the EU and the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU).

French President Francois Hollande, second left, speaks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel - Sputnik International
Hollande, Merkel Discuss Progress in Solving Ukrainian Crisis
Speaking about Ukrainian crisis, German chancellor expressed hope that the provisions of the Minsk peaceful agreements on Ukraine would be implemented using diplomatic solutions.

Last Sunday, Merkel accused Russia of creating obstacles for Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine, saying Russia prevented the three countries from their integration into the EU internal market. The statement was made after Russia had urged the countries to think carefully about their EU integration plan.

The relations between Russia and the West have seen a sharp decline after the escalation of the Ukrainian crisis and Crimea’s reunification with Russia in March.

German chancellor Angela Merkel may have hard time keeping Russia sanctions in place. - Sputnik International
Merkel Struggling to Keep Russia Sanctions Intact
The EU countries, including Germany, have imposed a range of sanctions against Russia, citing Moscow’s alleged meddling in the Ukrainian conflict. Moscow has denied the claims, saying the EU restrictive measures were counterproductive.

Germany’s stance on Russia has been criticized by German politicians, businessmen and public figures. However, Merkel said late November that the sanctions would not be lifted until the Ukrainian crisis was resolved.

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