BERLIN, August 17. /TASS/. The German authorities need to change the policy towards Russia and discuss the possibility of continuing cooperation in the G8 format. For its part, Moscow should likewise make efforts to become a reliable partner again, leader of the liberal German Free Democratic Party (FDP) Christian Lindner told the Passauer Neue Presse daily.
"The FDP wants another policy with respect to Russia. Russia should return to the G8," he said. According to Lindner, Russia "continues to be an important partner for negotiations." "Moscow can become a political partner again, if the Kremlin changes its policy," he added.
Lindner noted though that there are no reasons yet for lifting anti-Russian restrictive measures imposed over the Ukrainian crisis. "Yes to the dialogue, no to removing sancitons," he said.
"There is no alternative to the European Union and Transatlantic friendship," the politician added.
The Free Democratic Party garnered 10.7% of the vote during the last elections to the German Bundestag (parliament). Together with the Green Party, it was to join Angela Merkel’s ruling coalition, but the talks on a new Cabinet ended in a deadlock. Lindner has led the party since 2013.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold negotiations in Germany on Saturday, August 18.
