KIEV - Germany and France on Tuesday called upon the Ukrainian authorities to fully implement the country's stalled reforms, including those prescribed in the Minsk ceasefire agreement.
"Reforms in Ukraine should not stop. The country needs both political stability and continuation of reforms," visiting German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said during a joint press conference in Kiev with his French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault.
In particular, Steinmeier stressed the need for Kiev to strengthen the fight against corruption and prepare local elections in areas controlled by independence-seeking insurgents in eastern Ukraine.
Neither Germany nor France sees an alternative to the Minsk deal to peacefully settle the Ukrainian crisis, and every single provision of the agreement should be implemented, said Steinmeier.
For his part, Ayrault noted some progress in Ukraine's reform process since the new government came to power in November 2014, stressing that Kiev still has much work ahead to carry forward the reforms.
"Over the past 14 months, the current Ukrainian government has carried out many reforms, but still, there is a lot to be done on this path," said Ayrault.
"It requires efforts from a cabinet that is able to make progress in reforms and an effective parliament that is capable of passing necessary legislation," he said.(Xinhua)