BERLIN, Aug. 30 - Chancellor Angela Merkel used a visit to Berlin by President Viktor Yanukovych on Monday to raise concerns about press freedoms in Ukraine, Deutshce Welle reported.

Merkel told reporters following her talks with Yanukovych that relations between Germany and Ukraine were on a "good, solid and friendly foundation."

But Merkel also said she had "very open" talks with the Ukrainian president about press freedoms in his country, following criticism from journalists and international watchdogs.