PARIS, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- France on Wednesday hailed "the constructive atmosphere of the discussions" aimed at resolving peacefully the Ukrainian crisis, adding the progress in talks involving the rival parties paved the way to hold a Normandy summit soon in Paris, the country's foreign ministry said.
"France welcomes this progress, which was facilitated by the intense negotiations conducted over the last few weeks within the so-called Normandy format between France, Germany, Ukraine and Russia," the ministry said.
"The conditions have now been met for the forthcoming meeting of heads of state and government in the Normandy format aimed at making progress toward a lasting settlement of the conflict in Ukraine," it added.
The Normandy format, comprised of a diplomatic group of leaders from Russia, Germany, France and Ukraine, is set up to resolve the crisis in eastern Ukraine in accordance with the peace agreement reached in Minsk in 2015.
The accord envisages a cease-fire, a withdrawal of heavy weaponry from the contact line, a prisoner exchange, and holding local elections, among other measures. Enditem
