African countries hit by conflict featured prominently in UNICEF's first global out-of-school ranking.

"The United Nations should prepare clear sanctions, despite the Russian veto threat," Gernot Erler said.

Japan has been eyeing closer ties with Russia to counter China's growing clout, as well as its interest in Russia's natural resources.

“They discussed issues of bilateral foreign policy interaction, as well as the situation in the Nagorno Karabakh settlement,” a statement said.

The failure to secure the position deepens the country's political crisis after two inconclusive elections.

Karabakh Defense Army troops mainly refrained from retaliating to continue controlling the situation along the entire line of contact.

Michel Temer has been sworn in as president and will serve out Rousseff's term until 1 January 2019.

The comments follow the publication of a parliamentary booklet warning Australian lawmakers to treat Chinese motives in the region with caution.

The report is based on information provided by several officials of governments involved in the negotiations.