YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov will arrive in Yerevan on September 3 for a 10-hour visit. Ivanov is scheduled to hold meetings with Armenian President Robert Kocharian–Prime Minister Vazgen Sargssian and his Armenian counterpart Vardan Oskanian.
Spokesman of the Armenian Foreign Ministry Ara Papian reported that the Russian foreign minister will also hold similar meetings in the other Transcaucasian countries–but "our relations are much deeper and more versatile." He reminded the reporters that Russia is co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group and Armenia’s strategic partner.
On the same day–September 3–the new US representative to the OSCE Minsk Group–Kerry Kevinoun is also scheduled to arrive in Yerevan.
OSCE Chairman in Office–Norwegian Foreign Minister Knut Vollebaek is scheduled to visit Armenia on September 15-16. His visit scheduled for April 12 was canceled due to the crisis in the Balkans. Papian said that the visit will include discussions on regional security. An OSCE office is likely to open in Yerevan if economic and organizational issues are settled. A political decision on the opening of the OSCE office in Yerevan has already been made.
Papian also discussed Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian’s current visit to countries in East Asia. The minister will be leaving China for Japan–where Armenian businessmen will join the Armenian foreign ministry delegation. The Armenian foreign minister is scheduled to hold meetings with his Japanese counterpart Masahiko Komura–representatives of the largest Japanese banks and companies such as Exmimbank–and with government officials. During his official visit to Korea the Armenian foreign minister will meet with the president of the Samsung company and his Korean counterpart. Vardan Oskanian is scheduled to return to Yerevan on September 2.
On September 26 the Armenian foreign minister is scheduled to embark on his first visit to Canada. Papian announced that during the visit an intergovernmental agreement will be signed on the joint production of videosystems.
From September 29 to October 2 Vardan Oskanian will be visiting New York. He will participate in the session of the UN General Assembly. On September 29–the Armenian foreign minister will make a report on regional problems. The Armenian delegation will also participate in the discussions of the UN reforms.