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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
375010 Telephone: +3741. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +3741. .562543 Email: [email protected]:
www.armeniaforeignministry.am
PRESS RELEASE
23 November 2004
Minister Oskanian Receives Ruud Lubbers of UNHCR
On 22 November, Foreign Minister Oskanian received Ruud Lubbers,
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) who is in Yerevan as part
of a regional visit.
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.
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
375010 Telephone: +3741. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +3741. .562543 Email: [email protected]:
www.armeniaforeignministry.am
PRESS RELEASE
23 November 2004
Minister Oskanian Receives Ruud Lubbers of UNHCR
On 22 November, Foreign Minister Oskanian received Ruud Lubbers,
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) who is in Yerevan as part
of a regional visit.
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.