Moscow - Ukrainian citizens should have a chance to decide the future of their country in free elections but this future cannot be built on violence and extremism, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said.
“Citizens of Ukraine must have an opportunity to independently decide the future of their country in free elections. Yet one thing is clear irrespective of the path chosen by voters: the future of Ukraine cannot be built on violence and extremism,” Steinmeier said in an interview published by Kommersant on Friday.
He called for the soonest possible settlement of economic problems and said the budget deficit could be eliminated in the short term. However, medium and long term stabilization is realistic only if structural problems are resolved, the minister added.
“Economic modernization and political stability go hand in hand and we can see that not only by the example of Ukraine,” the German foreign minister observed.
It is a common task to encourage the dialogue between the opposition and the authorities of Ukraine, and Russia may contribute to that process, he said.
Steinmeier said also that Germany had been actively working in the interests of Europe, in particular, in the context of the EU policy on its eastern neighbors.
“This is not a geopolitical game about spheres of influence of the Cold War period. Moreover, this is not a trick against Russia. Quite the opposite: we are confident that profound reforms are the key to economic development, prosperity and stability. This is why we intend to render comprehensive assistance to our eastern neighbors,” the German foreign minister concluded.
Further economic integration of Europe, Russia and their common neighbors should be given serious thought, he presumed.
“A lot will depend on our common neighbors and, definitely, on Germany, Russia, Poland, the Baltic states and all other EU members,” he noted.
