On November 8, 2015, in the framework of his working visit to Finland, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin had a meeting with State Secretary Mr. Peter Stenlund.

The Parties discussed wide range of bilateral issues, development of situation in Ukraine in the context of implementation of the Minsk agreements as well as the prospects of development of relations with Russia. The Ministers noted the importance to maintain ceasefire regime, implementation of arrangements on weapons withdrawal and verification of this process by the OSCE SMM, ceasing Russian support to illegal armed formations, and creating conditions for restoration - with the assistance of the OSCE SMM - of full control over the Ukrainian-Russian border.

The importance to promote the process of political settlement of situation in the east of Ukraine was also underlined. In the context of holding of local elections in Ukraine, Finland stressed the necessity of adherence to the Ukrainian legislation and generally recognized OSCE standards during organization of local elections in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

They expressed hope that the Russian Federation would return to the principles of the international law and honour its international obligations by revocation of illegal decisions in the context of annexation of Crimea, release of hostages and illegally detained Ukrainian citizens held on the territory of Russia, including a member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ms. Nadiya Savchenko.

Finland confirmed its readiness to provide further tangible support to the implementation of systemic reforms in Ukraine, envisaged by the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU, as an important tool of modernization and development of Ukraine.

After the meeting Minister Klimkin held a press-conference for the leading Finnish mass media.