Ukraine, Georgia, must be able to enter NATO - Merkel. NEWS

Ukraine, Georgia, must be able to enter NATO - Merkel

2008.26.08

Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt welcomed German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Stockholm on Monday. Russia`s actions in Georgia, the Baltic Sea Initiative, and energy and climate issues were high on the agenda, according to The Local Swedish news agency.

Prime Minister Reinfeldt underlined in a press conference at government offices on Monday afternoon that Russia must meet its ceasefire commitments and withdraw completely from Georgia - "anything else would be unacceptable," he said.

But Reinfeldt also stressed the importance of developing contacts with Russia.

"We can see authoritarian tendencies, but we are at the same time building trade and other links with Russia to hold the avenues open to building a better relationship."