You're reading: Poroshenko, Merkel ahead of Asia-Europe Meeting summit agree on future assemblies

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and German Chancellor Angela Merkel during a phone conversation agreed to hold meetings in bilateral and multilateral formats.

“Petro Poroshenko and Angela Merkel coordinated actions ahead of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit in Milan on Oct. 16-17 and agreed to hold meetings, both in bilateral and in multilateral formats,” the press service of the head of state reported.

Poroshenko also briefed Merkel about the “important laws that really bring Ukraine closer to the European standards” which were adopted by the Verkhovna Rada on Tuesday, Oct. 14.

“We have not been able to do this for more than 20 years. Finally there is the political will, and we have made a decisive step to overcome even the Soviet legacy,” the president said.

He also thanked the German chancellor for the provision of humanitarian assistance and support of Ukraine in establishing peace, overcoming challenges in the economic and energy areas and in holding reforms.