All The Info About Armenia

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Hague Convention on Legalization of Foreign Public Documents

3. On September 4, 1991, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) deposited an instrument of accession to the Convention. The Convention was to have entered into force for the USSR on April 1, 1992. Prior to that date, the USSR dissolved. Three members of the Newly Independent States (NIS), the Russian Federation, the Belarus Republic and Armenia have informed the depositary for the Convention that the Convention applies in those jurisdictions. We have requested the assistance of the Hague Conference on Private International Law in ascertaining from the other NIS countries whether they are applying the Convention. Even if other NIS countries were to consider the Convention to apply, i ... [Read More]

Europe and Central Asia

Corruption. Corruption has been the most significant problem within Georgia's law enforcement agencies. Georgia's anti- corruption efforts continue to be hampered by the widespread tolerance of corruption within Georgian society. During 2001 the Government of Georgia formed a commission to reform the law enforcement agencies (so-called "power ministries"). The commission developed a strategy for reorganization that was forwarded to the Georgian National Security Council; however, no significant changes were made. In any case, none of these proposed measures can truly ameliorate the situation given the low wages of officials and poor standard of behavior from those in charge that nourish wide-scale, low level corruption. The new hope of eradicating corruption within the system emerged with the appointment of a new Minister of Internal Affairs, who has publicly and repeatedly announced his commitment to combating corruption and the trafficking ... [Read More]

Foreign Entry Requirements

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Europe and Central Asia

AlbaniaI. Summary Drug trafficking is a significant problem in Albania, which is a major transit country for heroin from Afghanistan and Turkey destined for markets throughout Europe. Organized crime groups use Albania as a transit point for drug and other types of smuggling due to the country’s strategic location, weak police and judicial systems, and porous borders. The most common illegal drugs are heroin, marijuana, and to a lesser extent, cocaine. Heroin is typically transported through the "Balkans Route" of Turkey-Bulgaria-Macedonia-Albania, and on to Italy, Greece and the Netherlands. Cocaine is smuggled from South America, via the United States, Italy, Spain, Greece or the Netherlands, and ... [Read More]

Department of State Washington File: Transcript: State Department Noon Briefing, June 14

During the course of our discussions, Venezuela was indeed a topic with many ministers. I'll have to check and see where the conference came out on the subject of Venezuela, whether there was further discussion, but even during our time there and our discussions with Secretary General Gaviria and the Secretary's discussions with other foreign ministers, it was clear that there was, first of all, concern about the situation in Venezuela. The Secretary, in his remarks, which I think we've made public, which I think we released, made clear that we were pleased that the Government had accepted the results of the raparo process and that all parties were committed to going forward in a constitutional manner. That, I think, was what we heard from other delegations as well. ... [Read More]

Background Notes

These publications include facts about the land, people, history, government, political conditions, economy, and foreign relations of independent states, some dependencies, and areas of special sovereignty.  The Notes are updated/revised by the Office of Electronic Information and Publications of the Bureau of Public Affairs as they are received from the Department's regional bureaus and are added to the database of the Department of State website you are now using. ... [Read More]

IEW > Events

IEW kicked off with an all-Russia videoconference for alumni of U.S. government exchange programs. A conference titled "Information and Educational Exchanges: Securing the Future through Open Access" was organized by Project Harmony and took place in the Internet Access Training Program (IATP) Center at the Ushinsky Library in Moscow. Video translation via the Internet connected alumni in 13 IATP centers across the Russian Federation and Taganrog, where the IATP has yet to establish a center. In their presentations, panelists discussed the activities of their respective programs and the current status of information and education programs in Russia. Via the Internet, alumni at IATP centers across the country had the opportunity to ask questions and participate in dialogue with the panelists. The panel received questions from such ... [Read More]

2006 DIVERSITY IMMIGRANT VISA PROGRAM

NOTE: Entries must include the name, date and place of birth of the applicant's spouse and all natural children, as well as all legally-adopted and stepchildren, who are unmarried and under the age of 21 (except children who are already U.S. citizens or Legal Permanent Residents), even if you are no longer legally married to the child's parent, and even if the spouse or child does not currently reside with you and/or will not immigrate with you. Note that married children and children 21 years or older will not qualify for the diversity visa. Failure to list all children will result in your disqualification for the visa. (See question 11 on the list of Frequently Asked Questions.) ... [Read More]

Foreign Entry Requirements

AUSTRALIA - *Passport, Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) or non-electronic label visa, proof of onward or return ticket, and sufficient funds are required. An ETA or non-electronic label visa is required for tourist or business stays of up to 3 months. An ETA is an electronically stored authority to travel to Australia and can be obtained online at www.ETA.immi.gov.au or through participating travel agencies or airlines. Minors not accompanied by a parent or traveling with only one parent need notarized written parental consent from the absent parent(s). AIDS test required for permanent resident visa for applicants age 15 and older; tests taken in the U.S. are acceptable. More information about entry requirements to Australia (including for longer stays) is available on the Embassy of Aus ... [Read More]