It's saddening that nothing was done to build confidence between the sides, specifically in Azerbaijan, the Russian diplomat said.

The conversation was initiated by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Armenian Foreign Minister met with Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus.

Vahram Melikyan: all Armenian churches belong to the state, which does anything it wishes with the help of the Georgian Orthodox Church.

"The principle of self-determination envisages a certain status which doesn't exceed territorial integrity and sovereignty of states," a spokesman for the Azeri MFA said.

The Assembly hopes that a new resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide will be brought to the House floor by the end of 2009.

"We are trying to lobby the bill but the pressure is too strong," Philippe de Villiers said.

"To start a dialogue, the U.S. should first of all change its policy toward Iran," said a spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

"France holds presidency in the EU and our task is to press for recognition of the Armenian Genocide and put an end to Genocide denial in state structures," the MEP said.