Yerevan July 31
Naira Badalian. Italian President Sergio Mattarrella, who arrived the day before with a two-day state visit to Armenia, visited the Tsitsernakaberd memorial to the victims of the Armenian Genocide and laid a wreath. ArmInfo was informed in the press service of the Armenian President.
According to the information, members of the Italian delegation also visited the Museum-Institute of the Armenian Genocide, got acquainted with its exhibits. President Matarella left a record in the Book of Memory, and after planted a spruce in the alley of the memory of the complex.
To note, it should be noted that on the eve of the presidents of Armenia and Italy at the briefing they stated that the meeting was held in a warm atmosphere and a substantive discussion of the broad agenda of the Armenian-Italian cooperation took place. The presidents of the two countries noted the need for deepening economic, business, cultural and scientific-educational ties, as well as the importance of contacts with people. In particular, according to Armenian President Armen Sarkissian, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening interstate relations. "We agreed that more efforts should be made to ensure a new and dynamic development of the Armenian-Italian cooperation both in the bilateral format and on the international arena, including within the framework of Armenia-EU cooperation." We noted that Italy, as the OSCE Chairman-in-Office , will continue to support the only international format for the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict – the co-chairmanship of the OSCE Minsk Group.We touched upon the Armenia-EU partnership, this is another platform in which we There are great prospects for deepening the Armenian-American relations, and I expressed hope that Italy will soon ratify the Agreement on Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership, "the Armenian President said. Sergio Mattarella, in turn, noted that the relations between Armenia and Italy are at a high level, and there is a desire to further deepen bilateral cooperation in various fields. Armenia and Italy successfully cooperate in different directions, in particular, Armenian and Italian peacekeepers work together in Lebanon. Active work is being carried out in the fields of trade, economy, culture and science, but, according to the Italian President, there is an untapped potential for further development. "My visit is a good opportunity for further development of bilateral relations and deepening of friendship," said Mattarella, "Italy will necessarily support the peaceful settlement of the conflict in the Karabakh issue." We will do everything to start peace talks and try to find ways through the Minsk Group OSCE, and on the basis of the principles of international law, only a political and not a military solution that will be protracted. "Italy, he noted, highly appreciated the Armenia-EU agreement, which is a pre a red opportunity for the development of relations with the EU, the Italian President also expressed his satisfaction with the opening ceremony of the Armenian-Italian Center for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage on July 31. "This will help strengthen cultural ties, help Armenia preserve its historical heritage," the president said. . Sergio Mattarella stressed that the issue of cooperation in the field of science is also on the agenda. Presidents of the two countries in the course of the conversation highlighted astrophysics. Possibilities for sharing experiences between research institutions were discussed. "Armenia and Italy have an opportunity to develop cooperation in other spheres, and Armenia can count on Italy's support and friendship," Sergio Mattarella said. On July 30, the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, together with his daughter Laura Mattarella visited the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts – Matenadaran. During the visit, guests were presented with centers of Armenian writing, and then introduced them to the Armenian script, the Bible, the Gospel. At the end of the visit, the President of Italy was presented with two books. Sergio Mattarella, in turn, presented the medal. In the evening, in honor of Italian President Sergio Mattarella and his daughter Laura Mattarella, a state dinner was given in the residence of the President of the Republic on behalf of President Armen Sarkissian and Ms Nune Sarkissian. Presidents Armen Sarkissian and Sergio Mattarella made a mutual toast in which they talked about the centuries-old Armenian-Italian friendship, about the lasting 25 years after the establishment of diplomatic relations of lasting interstate relations and the prospects for their development, on the issues of the Armenian-Italian bilateral agenda, sphere.