ARMENIAN PRIME MINISTER AND ITALIAN AMBASSADOR UNDERSCORE DEVELOPMENT OF ECONOMIC RELATIONS

ARMENPRESS
May 29, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 29, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsian
received today Italian ambassador to Armenia Massimo Lavezzo Kasinelli.

Governmental press service told Armenpress the during the meeting the
prime minister pointed out that Armenia underscores the ancient-long
relations with Italy which today have better prospects of development
particularly in economic and educational spheres. From that viewpoint
the two sides underscored the visit of that time Armenian president
Robert Kocharian to Italy in 2005 which the ambassador and prime
minister said, gave new impetus to the development of bilateral
relations.

"Nothing makes people closer then the culture does," the prime minister
said and considered the conduction of the "Armenian-Italian Friendship
Days" festival within the framework of which more then 70 events
were held as a good example for consolidating relations. In this
pre-context the sides also underscored the agreement signed between
Armenian and Italian governments in 2003 on cooperation in cultural,
educational, scientific and technologic spheres.

Tigran Sargsian also underscored close partnership in economic and
financial sectors, particularly referred to the entrance of Italian
banks to the Armenian market. The Italian ambassador said that he
also sees a big potential for cooperation in this sphere and noted
that the Italian side wishes to increase its direct investments
in Armenia. "I think that Your government’s program intends such a
favorable economic environment which will promote the involvement of
businessmen in the Armenian market," the diplomat said.

Assuring that the Italian side is ready and interested in the
continuation and development of activities carried out until now in
economic and cultural spheres, Lavezzo Kasinelli said that in near
future it is expected to cooperate with Armenia in archeology sphere,
particularly open a school of restoration.

The prime minister said that on the firm basis of bilateral relations
it is possible to ensure new developments in various spheres.