The resolution was adopted with 133 votes in favour, 12 against and 31 abstentions. CIS countries were split over the vote with 3 in favour, 2 against, 3 abstaining and 3 absent.

Wide-ranging talks likely to cover both bilateral relations and situation in the region.

Ex-candidate for president of NKR Vitaly Balasanyan has announced an intention to launch a public movement and addressed the citizens of NKR on that occasion, ArmInfo's correspondent to Stepanakert reports.

The soldier was captured when he crossed into Armenian territory last week.

"The past presidential elections in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) let us state that prerequisites are being created in Artsakh for political activation of the people", Sardarapat Movement says in its statement.

The "return" of the democracy-bound Nagorno- Karabakh to the authoritarian Azerbaijan is contrary to good sense, Director of the Oriental Studies Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia Ruben Safrastyan said in an interview with ArmInfo, when asked to comment on the last presidential election in Nagorno- Karabakh.

Dr. Gayane Novikova, Director of the Center for Strategic Analysis Spectrum in Yerevan, Armenia speaks to ARMINFO News Agency about Russia's attitude towards the Karabakh conflict.

Reports in Russian media state that Azerbaijan is unwilling to enter into a long term arrangement. The importance of the facility is now more political than military.

The two presidents will join other Heads of State at today's opening ceremonay and at a reception hosted by Queen Elizabeth.

Armenian sources say the soldier crossed the state border but give no further information as yet.