Minister of foreign Affairs of Latvia supported the inclusion of the EU in the " channel format "
The foreign Minister of Latvia Edgars rink?vi?s said on the first day of the week in the evening about the necessity of the exchange of political views between the EU and Russia, and supported the inclusion of EU envoy in the "Channel format" in which it is currently Authorized Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France.
Speaking in the discussion about the relations between Russia and the EU at the European forum Alpbach, rink?vi?s said that I agree with the Russian Ambassador to the EU Vladimir Chizhov that " today is a return to doing things as often as if nothing happened, impossible."
"We are in the process of choosing the strategy and the EU, and Russia. But we have a different vision of the world. We Still have time to think about how to develop our strategy, " He said.
Speaking about the necessity of the exchange of political views between the EU and Russia, rink?vi?s said that it is possible to apply the experience of participating EU envoy in the talks on Iran's nuclear programme to include the EU in the " Channel format ", acting on the settlement of the Ukrainian fall.
"Normandy format" is a good format, I welcome the fact that turned out to make Germany and France. But I think We still need a direct political dialogue between the EU and Russia. I also believe that the EU is obliged to be present at the negotiating table in the " channel format ", representing all 28 member States of the EU, " said Rinkevich.
He declared the position of the EU about the fact that the issue of sanctions with respect to Russia will be decided depending on the progress on implementation of the Minsk agreements.
"The current penalties are valid until January of the coming year. There is still time to assess the situation, and then there will be a discussion. If the situation in Eastern Ukraine deteriorates, I cannot exclude that there will be a discussion and decision about increasing the penalties. If the situation improves, then I think that conclusion will be made about mitigation of punishment, " - said the Minister of foreign Affairs of Latvia.
Rinkevich also stated that it has no objection to the contacts between the EU and the EEU, but other EU members as long as the other position on the question under consideration.
Relations between Russia and the West deteriorated in connection with the situation in Ukraine. EU countries, USA and Canada first imposed against the Russian Federation 1st batch of sentences, then It was expanded. In response, Russia imposed retaliatory measures that have spread to the products of the agricultural sector from the USA, EU, Canada, Australia and Norway.