Merkel urges German businesses to 'show patience' with regard to sanctions against Russia
Angela Merkel emphasized that sanctions may be lifted only after the Minsk Agreements have been fully implemented.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged businesses to demonstrate patience towards the lifting of sanctions against Russia. On February 23rd, speaking at the annual Economic Council of the Christian Democratic Union in Stralsund, Merkel acknowledged that business, to a certain extent, has been adversely affected by sanctions. The Chancellor emphasized that they may be lifted only after full implementation of the Minsk Agreements, as reported by DPA.
Merkel also stated that giving up the principle of territorial integrity would question “the peaceful order of Europe” over the last 70 years.
The EU sanctions against Russia, which are linked to the implementation of the Minsk Agreements, were extended until the end of July 2016. Representatives of the German Economy repeatedly stressed their losses, which may be due to imposed sanctions, and expressed hope that they would be lifted as soon as possible.