Introduction of biometrical passports in Armenia will facilitate the EU visa application procedures, Hovhanness Kocharyan, Head of the Passports and Visas Department, Armenian Police

The draft declaration of the Chicago Summit includes general formulations on the settlement of conflicts in the South Caucasus and Moldova, which, despite changes it has undergone after the Lisbon declaration, counters the approaches of the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, which have been voiced on many occasions by the Presidents of the United States, Russia and France.

The issue has created new tensions between Russia and western countries but the two sides have confirmed that dialogue on the subject will continue.

There is a chill in relations between the two countries over a border dispute connected with the Davit Gareji Monastery Complex but both sides are trying to avoid an escalation of the problem.

Itar-Tass

Obama gives warm welcome to Dimitri Medvedev at the start of the G8 Summit at Camp David regardless of outstanding difficulties.

There are signs that the EU position is becoming more assertive in stating a claim for a role in an issue involving two countries with whom the Union is currently negotiating Association Agreements.

CSTO meeting in Moscow

On May 16, in accordance with the agreement with the authorities of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, the OSCE Mission held scheduled monitoring of the Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijani armed forces' contact-line near the village of Kuropatkino, Martouni region, the NKR Foreign Ministry reports

The European Commission and the European External Action Service (EAS) adopted their annual European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) package, on 15 May, assessing the progress made in 12 neighbouring countries over the past year and sharing recommendations for the way forward.