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RIA Novosti
PARIS, March 2. /Offset. TASS Sergey Shcherbakov/. A candidate for the presidential elections in France Emmanuel macron believes that dialogue with Russia is necessary, but doing it with solid positions. He stated this at a press conference after the presentation of his election program.
“We need to engage in dialogue with the Russian authorities, but the dialogue is demanding,” said macron. He added that “Russia must keep the contact” for the settlement of regional conflicts, especially in the middle East. “This is an integral partner,” – said the French politician.
The abolition of sanctions against Russia macron, as the current authorities of France, linked to the implementation of the Minsk agreements. “The lifting of sanctions involves the implementation of the provisions stipulated in the peace process (in Ukraine)”, – he said.
Earlier, foreign Minister of France Jean-Marc Ayrault reiterated that Paris remains committed to the “channel format” as the platform for settling the conflict in Ukraine. “Those who believes that the Minsk agreement is dead wrong. The question on the necessity of implementing their provisions is still under discussion in the negotiations of the parties. These agreements remain an important part of the solution and serve as a guide for both Russian and Ukrainian sides who agree with the necessity of existence and the “Normandy format,” said Ayrault.