February 16, 2007 - 18:20 AMT
German FM will discuss South Caucasus-EU relations development
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier will be visiting South Caucasian republic February 18-20, said the German MFA press office. The visit is held in the framework of the European Neighborhood Policy. "One of priorities for Germany, as the EU chair, is the further development of the European Neighborhood Policy with an accent on eastern neighbors," an MFA representative said. He emphasized that "the main task is consolidation of the legal state system, democracy and market economy in EU's neighbor states. The German Ministry official also reminded that Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia were included in the European Neighborhood Policy by Germany's initiative in 2004 and action plans were coordinated with all of three republics.
The German Foreign Minister will "hold talks on whole scope of regional issues, development of relations with the EU and urgent international problems." Minister Stienmeier will also meet with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili and Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan," the diplomat said, reports RIA Novosti.