President Aliev of Azerbaijan is today in Turkey on an official visit as senior Turkish officials continue to perform a complicated dance with the country's neighbours.

Georgia's President-elect tells Russian Television that a stable Georgia, in an association arrangement with the EU, is good for Russia.

According to him, the agreement of Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents to meet was an important step

Yerevan said that "The parties discussed the current phase of the NK peace process and issues pertaining to future steps."

Russian diplomat says Aliev has agreed to meeting with Sargsyan before the end of the year as efforts continue to break impasse in Karabakh negotiations.

Ambassador Lefort met last week with representatives of the Stepanakert authorities within his mandate to assist in the resolution of the Karabakh conflict. More such meetings are necessary.

The selection of Irakli Garibashvili as the new Prime Minister concludes a process of political transition. The new President and PM have many problems ahead of them.

Efforts to organise a meeting between the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan before Christmas continue, but a meeting is not certain yet.

Eight hundred intellectuals, academics and public personalities from seventy countries are attending the 3rd Baku Humanitarian Forum which opened this morning.

Armenians raise issue of arms supplies to Azerbaijan but Russian delegation says it is all legal.