Baltic States – CIS, Estonia, EU – Baltic States, Legislation, Ukraine

Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Tallinn. Photo: valitsus.ee

Steinmeier, who is one of the most influential politicians in Europe, said that at the meetings on Friday, he intends to present his clear position in issues concerning both Estonia and NATO.

Steinmeier also said that despite the recent frequent gunfire in Eastern Ukraine, the Minsk ceasefire agreement remains in force and the parties to the agreements respect it.

"I often hear this argument, and I emphasize again and again that the task of foreign policy is to ensure that such agreements as the one signed in Minsk work. Even if implementation and execution of what was agreed upon is extremely difficult. And here it is important not to give constant interviews and talk about how all has failed, instead, the parties to the conflict must be forced to adhere to the agreements," said German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

He continued: "On Monday in Berlin I talked about this with French, Ukrainian and Russian foreign ministers, how the ceasefire, which in eight weeks has more or less been adhered to, but which is violated more and more, should still be adhered to and how the weapons have to be pulled back from the conflict line. We agreed upon further moving away of weaponry and the chance of OSCE observers to monitor this action. "