ARMENIAN FM TO DISCUSS GLOBAL ISSUES WITH RUSSIAN COUNTERPART

Regnum, Russia
March 21 2007

Visit of minister of foreign affairs of Russia Sergei Lavrov to
Armenia is planned for early April, REGNUM reports Armenian foreign
minister Vardan Oskanyan to inform at a news conference March 21 at
the REGNUM’s Yerevan press office.

Oskanyan said that the meeting agenda would be extensive and deep.

"Of course, first of all, issues of bilateral relations are to be
discussed – they are multifaceted and lie practically in all the
spheres: security, political dialog, economic and social issues,
and issues of culture and education," Oskanyan observed.

According to the Armenian FM, the issue of Nagorno Karabakh will be
one of the most important topics discussed. "We are to talk about
regional issues related to the energy field, transport, and security.

Besides, based on my earlier experience of meetings with Sergei Lavrov
and other high-ranking officials of the Russian foreign ministry,
global topics will also be discussed."

"I always use the opportunity to learn the position of Russia on
several important subjects that directly or indirectly influence
Armenia’s external policy," Vardan Oskanyan added. He mentioned, in
particular, issues related to Iran, Middle East, Palestine, Kosovo,
expansion of NATO, reforms at the United Nations Organization and the
OSCE. "All this is really a matter of our interest and concern. And
this meeting will give us a good chance to hold such a discussion,"
the minister concluded.