German Chancellor Angela Merkel had a telephone conversation with leading Ukrainian presidential candidate Petro Poroshenko on Tuesday, and called on parties in Ukraine to continue their efforts to reach inner reconciliation.

Merkel congratulated Poroshenko for his leading position in the first round of presidential election on Sunday in the telephone conversation, according to a statement posted on the website of German federal government.

She said the election clearly showed Ukrainian people's commitment to unity and to find a peaceful solution to the current conflict.

The Chancellor and Poroshenko both agreed that it was urgent to continue the path of inner reconciliation, the statement said. To this end, roundtable talks as well as constitutional reforms should be continued.

Preliminary official results showed that Poroshenko, a 48-year-old billionaire and independent politician, led the Sunday ballot with a vote share of 53.7 percent.

During his campaign, Poroshenko pledged to initiate early parliamentary elections in the country before the end of this year, and vowed to intensify efforts to harmonize his country's relationship with Russia.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, Merkel said she welcomed the result.

The presidential election was the first step for Ukraine, and should lead to a constitutional process and parliament elections in the eastern European country, she said.