On November 30th, Minister Oskanian received Mr. Lars O. Kallings, the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General for HIV/AIDS in Eastern Europe, who is in Armenia for a regional visit.

At the meeting both parties stressed the importance of coordinating efforts in a fight against the disease, both on international and national levels, and through engaging governmental structures, health and public institutions. In this respect Minister Oskanian stressed that social awareness should be increased as necessary.

Minister Oskanian used statistics from 1988-2004 to illustrate the situation of AIDS in Armenia. Although the number of infected persons in Armenia is comparatively small, both sides emphasized that the government must maintain its focus on this issue.

According to the minister, Armenia has already gained experience in its struggle against AIDS, and in the frame of combating the "20th century disease" is ready to cooperate with various organizations, especially with the UN.

Mr. Kallings has stressed the important work of the Commission, established with mutual efforts of Armenian governmental structures, public institutions, and international organizations. The Commission is closely cooperating with Global Fund Organization, exchanging data and experience with the similar commissions in other countries. The Fund supplies AIDS medicine to infected persons for free. It has provided similar assistance to Armenia, amounting to a sum of 7.5 million USD.