On Friday, November 14, he met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Igor Ivanov. This regular consultation meeting between the two foreign ministers coincided with several significant regional and international events.

The major area of discussion between Ministers Oskanian and Ivanov were the developments in Georgia. They both expressed concern over the situation and the unpredictability of new developments. The two ministers affirmed their desire that the Constitution is respected, that a solution is found, that the situation returns to normal and stability is reestablished in Georgia.

They also discussed ongoing CIS activities. The two ministers examined certain items on the agenda of the upcoming Collective Security Treaty Ministerial meeting in Bishkek, to be held next week.

Minister Oskanian presented Armenia's relations with its neighbors, including Armenia - Iran and Armenia -Turkey relations. Minister Oskanian stressed that Russia can play a role in trying to advance Armenian-Turkish relations. In addition, they discussed developments in Iraq and the Middle East.

They also discussed issues on the agenda of the upcoming OSCE Ministerial Meeting in Maastricht, as well as the NATO Summit to take place in Istanbul next year. Finally, the two ministers discussed the Nagorno Karabagh conflict, in light of the upcoming meeting to the region by the Minsk Group co-chairs. They explored possible developments, as Minister Oskanian reaffirmed Armenia's position.

Later in the day, the Minister met with Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Rushailo. The two discussed many of the same topics within the framework of Armenia-Russia relations.

During his Moscow visit, the Minister visited an exhibition dedicated to the 175th anniversary of the Turkmenchai Treaty as a result of which Eastern Armenia was annexed to Russia. There, the Minister viewed historic documents and photos. Among those who had come to view the exhibit were the granddaughter of Armenian writer and folklorist Hovhannes Toumanian.

The Minister was a guest speaker at the Moscow Institute for International Relations where he spoke on Armenia's foreign policy, with a special focus on regional relations. Together with students and professors, the audience included former Soviet ambassadors of Armenian descent.

On the same day, Minister Oskanian and his delegation meet with the Secretary of the Russian Federation Security Council Vladimir Rushaylo. They discussed regional and global security-related issues, and the necessary cooperation to counter them, both within the CIS and directly through Russia-Armenia bilateral cooperation.

The Nagorno Karabagh and the resolution of the conflict was a topic on the agenda, as was the current situation in Georgia.

On Saturday, at the Armenian Embassy in Moscow, Armenia's ambassadors to CIS countries met with the Minister and his delegation to discuss political as well as administrative matters.

Within the framework of the minister's working visit, a meeting was held between the heads of the two ministries' press offices. The two spokesmen -- Alexander Yakovenko and Hamlet Gasparian -- compared notes about each other's structures, ways of utilizing information technologies, and possible cooperation.