This first visit of the High Commissioner to the region is aimed at obtaining first-hand knowledge about the situation of refugees and respective national policies.

The parties discussed programs and actions aimed at addressing the issues of refugees in Armenia. Minister Oskanian highly appreciated UNHCR activities in Armenia since 1992 and expressed hope that the Field Office will continue to be actively involved in all refugee-related initiatives of the Armenian government.

Upon Mr. Lubbers' request, Minister Oskanian briefed him on social and legal issues of ethnic Armenians who fled Azerbaijan in the course of Nagorno Karabagh conflict and Armenian government's refugee integration policies.

The Minister specifically referred to the naturalization process and stressed that unlike Azerbaijan, where the refugees continue to live in tents, Armenia's authorities from the very first day embarked upon addressing the issues of the refugees and have been effectively addressing their housing, naturalization and employment needs.

At the end of the meeting, Minister Oskanian and Ruud Lubbers signed a cooperation agreement between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

Information Note: Ruud Lubbers was elected the 9th UNHCR High Commissioner in January 2004. He started his political career in 1973 as Minister of Economy of the Netherlands, and held the position of the Prime Minister in 1982-1994. On this regional visit, he is accompanied by Raymond Hall, Director of UNHCR Bureau for Europe.