(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) PARIS, Aug 16 (KUNA) -- The President of France Francois Hollande and Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel urged warring parties in Ukraine Tuesday to prevent further escalation of tension that lead to hindering peace efforts.
Hollande and Merkel, in a group phone call with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, reiterated commitment to achieve the Minsk Protocol's goals and the end the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, the Elysee Palace said in a statement.
They also discussed developments in Kiev, reiterating their firm stand toward the illegal takeover of Crimea by Russia, adding that such act cannot be recognized.
The French-German sides also urged the Normandy Group to continue holding talks in order to achieve a peaceful resolution for eastern Ukraine, commit to implement the ceasefire agreement, and hold elections in accordance with the Ukrainian law.
Hollande called Ukrainian parties to commit to their international obligations and implement the Minsk Protocol as soon as possible, renewing his call to hold the Normandy Group summit, which member-countries include France, Germany, Russia, and Ukraine.
The Minsk Protocol is an agreement to halt the war in the Donbass region of Ukraine; signed on September 5, 2014 after extensive talks in Minsk, Belarus, under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Eastern Ukraine has been under conflict between the government and pro-Russia separatists, killing and injuring many people and leading over one million to flee their homes since April 2014. (end) mmb.ma