Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Grigory Karasin met with Pádraig Murphy, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the South Caucasus.

The parties discussed current international issues including the situation in the South Caucasus and OSCE activity in the region, the Russian MFA said.

In 2012, taking over OSCE chairmanship, Ireland will base its activity on settlement of conflicts, namely Nagorno Karabakh, Georgian and Transnistrian conflicts.

One of the initial steps taken by Irish Foreign Minister Eamon Gilmore became appointment of ambassador Murphy to the post of special representative on the South Caucasus region. Amb. Murphy prior served in diplomatic missions of Ireland in former Soviet Union, Germany, Spain and Japan. In late January he paid his first visit to the region following his appointment.