ArmenPress
Nov 18 2004

ARMENIAN-ITALIAN RELATIONS EXCELLENT, ITALY’S AMBASSADOR SAYS

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 18, ARMENPRESS: In an interview with Armenpress
Italy’s ambassador to Armenia, Marco Clemente described bilateral
political relations between the two nations in the last few years as
“excellent.” “I have had many opportunities to witness the existence
of these warm relations during all my meetings with Armenian
authorities since my arrival here,” Mr. Clemente said.
He said these relations received a strong impulse in 2000 with the
opening of the Embassy of Italy in Yerevan. The Armenian Embassy in
Rome had already been active for some years before then.
He said development and emergency aid to Armenia played special
role in the bilateral relations. Italy was the first foreign country
to arrive in Armenia after the tragic earthquake in 1988. Ever since,
the Italian government has provided substantial development aid
either directly or through international organizations. In 2002 the
assistance aid committed by Italy amounted to more of 1.7 million
Euro.
He said a program has been implemented in the field of military
co-operation, which envisages participation of some young Armenian
trainees to courses at a prestigious military academy in Italy. These
courses are preceded by Italian language lessons organized by the
Italian Embassy in Yerevan.
According to the ambassador, the main factors that determine the
present positive situation in bilateral relations are the interest of
Italy in the South Caucasus region both politically and economically;
the common cultural ties and the presence of a successful and well
integrated Armenian-Italian community in Italy.
According to the ambassador, relations between Italy and Armenia
in the international organizations’ framework are also excellent:
both countries very much rely on the role of the multilateral
diplomacy in solving international conflicts and crisis.