On 15 November, Minister Oskanian received the Council of Europe Council of Ministers' Monitoring group headed by Germany's Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe, Ambassador Roland Wegener. This is the second visit this year of the group also known as the Ago Group (Italian Ambassador Pietro Ago was the group's first chairman until early this year) to Armenia to assess the country's progress in meeting its Council of Europe membership obligations.

Ambassador Wegener stressed the importance of continuity and consistency in the way the Group carries on its work, and briefed the Minister on the constructive dialogue held during the Group's meetings with the National Assembly Vice Speaker, parliamentary factions and opposition representatives. The Group also briefed the Minister on its views on the constitutional reform progress, reform of the electoral code and the need for a dialogue between the authorities and the opposition, as well as the importance of ensuring equal conditions for the mass media and progress in judicial reforms.

The Foreign Minister said that the Group's visits render additional momentum to the reforms and contribute to Armenia's speedy and timely fulfillment of its obligations. He detailed Armenia's approaches to meeting the obligations and explained the necessity of government and opposition partnership in order for democratic reforms to be affected more completely, quickly.

The discussion continued over a working lunch and involved an exchange of views on several issues of international concern, including the latest developments in the Nagorno Karabagh resolution process. Minister Oskanian expressed hope that after the removal of certain obstacles, it would be possible to register serious progress in the conflict settlement.

On the same day, Minister Oskanian and Ambassador Wegener held a joint press conference.

From Yerevan, the delegation will travel to Tbilisi.