On Saturday, August 23, Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk met with Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, who arrived to Ukraine on a visit on the eve of the Independence Day.

The PM discussed with the Federal Chancellor issues of stabilization of the situation in the East of Ukraine and the restoring of the areas that suffered from the actions of Russia-backed terrorists. Arseniy Yatsenyuk and Angela Merkel stressed the importance of a strong consolidated response of the European Union to Russian aggression and the Kremlin's attempts to destabilize the political and economic situation in Ukraine.

The Prime Minister of Ukraine noted the European choice of the Ukrainian people is invariable and in this context he confirmed the importance to ratify by the Verkhovna Rada of the Association Agreement with the European Union in September. "We agreed to hold technical consultations with the Russian side regarding the implementation of the Agreement in the section of introduction of a free trade area with the EU, however we have not heard from Russia any convincing arguments concerning the consequences for the Russian economy," said Arseniy Yatsenyuk.

Moreover, the PM discussed with the Federal Chancellor of Germany energy security issues. "Ukraine will welcome the participation of the German energy corporations in the development of Ukrainian energy infrastructure", - said the Prime Minister.

Arseniy Yatsenyuk also expressed satisfaction with the decision of the German government to allocate additional funds for the social needs of people who became victims of the hostilities of Russia-supported militants.

The Prime Minister also considered with Angela Merkel the practical aspects of use of the announced today assistance to Ukraine in the amount of Eur 500 million.