YEREVAN. – President of the National Assembly (NA), Ara Babloyan, on Wednesday received a delegation, led by Vice President Paola Taverna of the Italian Senate. The delegation is in Armenia within the framework of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly observers’ mission on the occasion of Sunday’s snap parliamentary election in the country.

Babloyan stressed that Armenia lauds the activities of observation missions in the preparations for and holding of elections, and which is indispensable in the development of democracy.

Touching upon Armenian-Italian relations, the speaker of Armenia’s parliament noted that the country highlights the dynamically developing relations with Italy, and based on the historical connections between the two peoples.

Babloyan recorded that the Italian Armenian community as well as the common historical, cultural, civilizational, and democratic values unite the two countries and further strengthen their relations. The NA chairman expressed his gratitude to the authorities and people of Italy for their warm disposition towards the Armenian community in their country.

Taverna, for her part, stated that this visit of theirs to Armenia will promote the further deepening of age-old friendly relations between Italy and Armenia.

“Now, we are in a country which goes on democratic way,” the deputy speaker of the Italian Senate added, “and we wish to help in strengthening that process.”

At the guests’ request, Ara Babloyan reflected also on the events unrolling in Armenia, the forthcoming early parliamentary election in the country, and the regional matters.