Brussels, 21/02/2007 (Agence Europe) - In Erevan, on the last stage of his tour of the Southern Caucasus, Frank-Alter Steinmeier expressed the wish that the countries of the region commit to greater regional cooperation and hoped, too, for improvements in relations between Armenia and its neighbours Azerbaijan and Turkey. Following his meeting with his Armenian counterpart Vartan Oskanian, Mr Steinmeier, the German foreign minister, expressed the hope on Tuesday that the parliamentary elections scheduled for May would see the election in Armenia of a government determined to pursue the reform process embarked upon. Stressing the importance of these elections, he confirmed the EU would be part of the international observation by the OSCE/ODIHR. Relations with the EU would benefit as a result of the action plan signed in November 2006 as part of the European neighbourhood Policy (see EUROPE 9306), the two men pointed out, and they spoke, too, of the importance of regional cooperation around the Black Sea, which is still hampered by conflicts in the region. Mr Steinmeier reiterated his hope that the countries of the Southern Caucasus would recognise the many prospects and opportunities which intensified regional cooperation could offer all sides. With regard to the simmering Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Mr Steinmeier expressed his hope that the documents drawn up over the last few months under the mediation of the Joint Chairs of the Minsk Group (France, Russia, USA) contained elements which could lead to a resolution. A “window for conclusive negotiations” could perhaps open up following the parliamentary elections, Mr Steinmeier said. His Armenian counterpart expressly stated that a solution this year was not impossible. Relations with Turkey would also benefit from normalisation, Mr Steinmeier argued, noting, however, that there were “still many unresolved problems and, above all, unopened crossing points on the border”. He said that the attendance of the Armenian Deputy Prime Minister at the funeral of Hrant Dink in Turkey was a small sign of encouragement. Mr Oskanian showed himself less optimistic, however. (ab)