German Economic Minister visits Kyiv
On Sunday, May 13, the German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Peter Altmaier arrived for a scheduled state visit in Kyiv. He immediately held a meeting with representatives of German business in Ukraine, dpa news reports.
At a press conference in Berlin that took place just before his departure to Kyiv, Altmaier stated that he intended to call on the authorities of Ukraine and Russia to create a "common energy policy concept." According to the Minister, the purpose of the visits is to resolve economic issues concerning energy and industry at the time of a difficult international situation.
On Monday, May 14, Peter Altmaier will meet with Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman. The main topics of the talks should be the future of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project and Ukraine as a transit country for Russian natural gas supplies to Europe. Altmaier stressed that it should be about protecting the interests of Ukraine. After that, the minister will travel to Moscow to negotiate.