Minister Vartan Oskanian just concluded a visit to Australia, Indonesia and Singapore.

On the first leg of visits, Minister Oskanian and his delegation arrived in Sydney on Sunday, October 9, and were met by members of the Armenian community at the airport. The delegation took part in the Sunday service at Surb Harutyun Church, and later, the Minister addressed a large community gathering.

The following day, Minister Oskanian and his delegation went to Canberra, to meet with Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer and Gary Hardgrave, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister and Minister for Vocational and Technical Education. In each meeting, they explored the present state of bilateral relations and ways to enhance them, and also discussed cooperation in international organizations.

Later in the day, the Minister met with Joe Hockey, Minister for Human Services; Senator Sandy MacDonald, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Trade; and Senator Marise Payne, Chairman of the Armenian-Australian Parliamentary Friendship Group.

In the evening, Mr Oskanian attended a dinner at Parliament House given by the Australian Foreign Minister. Among Government Ministers and fellow parliamentarians was Attorney General Philip Ruddock who was the first Australian Government Minister to visit Armenia in 2003 and Joe
Hockey MP, who will make an official visit to Armenia in November.

The following day, Minister Oskanian attended a breakfast at Parliament House in New South Wales hosted by Gladys Berejiklian MP, Member for Willoughby. He later met with the Hon John Watkins MP, Deputy Premier of NSW, Minister for Transport, and Minister for State Development.

On October 12, Minister Oskanian arrived in Jakarta, Indonesia. This was the first visit by a high-level Armenian official to this country.

Minister Oskanian met with Foreign Minister Pak Hassan Wirajuda. The Armenian Foreign Minister expressed his condolences over the loss of life as a result of the terrorist violence in Bali. They discussed bilateral as well as regional issues. Minsiter Wirajuda described the status of the Aceh conflict, the recently signed agreement and its future implementation. Minister Oskanian, in turn, presented the prospects for resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, stressing that the conflict is not a religious one, rather it’s a struggle by the people of Nagorno Karabakh for self-determination.

The two ministers signed a treaty on avoiding double-taxation, and a memorandum of understanding on creating an intergovernmental advisory forum.

Minister Oskanian met with Indonesian Vice President Yousuf Callan, on the same day. They discussed economic development issues as well as cooperation in international organizations.

In Singapore on October 13, Minister Oskanian met with his colleague George Yeo.

Minister Oskanian presented the political situation in the region. The two foreign ministers discussed regional and global development issues, cooperation in international organizations, and agreed to promote more active bilateral relations, beginning with consultations between the Foreign Ministries and the creation of the necessary legal framework. They also explored the possibility of holding a consultation around Singapore’s development experience.

On the same day, Minister Oskanian visited the Armenian Church of Singapore and held a meeting with local Armenians.

In the evening, the Oskanian had a working visit with Zainul Abidin Rasheed, the State Minister of Singapore. Later on the same day, the Minister and his delegation left for Yerevan.