A number of Armenia-Italy cooperation agreements signed

25 / 02 / 2009

On February 24-25, the meetings of the NSC Secretary delegation with Italian officials continued.

At a meeting with Renato Bruneta, Minister for Public Administration and Innovations the parties exchanged views on the actions of two countries towards reforms and innovations and stressed the importance of exchange of experience in this regard. Artur Baghdasaryan proposed three directions of cooperation; state and community personnel training, innovations and general reforms.
The parties agreed to sign a cooperation agreement and outlined the general directions and possibilities of cooperation based on the introduced proposals. The agreement will be signed later this year during the Ministe’s delegation visit to Yerevan in autumn. Renato Bruneta welcomed Armenia’s efforts to intensify cooperation with the EU.
Alfredo Mantica, State Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Italy stressed the importance of Artur Baghdasaryan’s delegation visit as an impetus to strengthen cooperation between two countries. The parties discussed issues related to European Neighbourhood Policy, “Eastern Partnership.” Alfredo Mantica emphasized Italy’s interest in the Caucasus which conditions his intention to visit the region and also Yerevan the following week.
At a meeting with Vanino Chitti, Vice-Chairman of the Senate of Italy the parties commented on the great possibilities of cooperation between Armenia and Italy as counties of common cultural values. There is a progress in the economic cooperation development trends, but the opportunities in this domain are much greater. Armenia and Italy collaborate in the education segment, but here also the whole potential is not realized.
Artur Baghdasaryan noted that the Armenian side is not content with the current extent of Armenia-Italy relations, and there is a willingness to deepen political, economic and cultural dialogue. It is very important for Armenia to increasingly strengthen unilateral relations with Italy to the greatest extent. Currently, on the way to European integration, a series of ambitions reforms is being implemented in Armenia and our country’s policy of an active initiator in the region is aimed at fostering peace and cooperation in the region. In his turn, Vanino Chitti promised to bring his contribution to the enhancement of bilateral relations.
The Italian high-rank official highly valued Armenia’s balanced approach towards regional conflicts, interest in peaceful regulation of NK conflict and willingness to establish relations with neighbours without pre-conditions.
At a meeting with Pierre Fernando Casini, President of Inter-Parliamentary Union, Head of World Christian Democratic and Centre Democratic Union the parties discussed the prospects of cooperation with the “Country of Law” political party and agreed to sign a cooperation agreement as sister parties. Stressing the necessity of frequent visits Fernando Casini invited Artur Baghdasaryan to participate in the conference of European People’s Party to be held in April in Warsaw.
At a meeting with Roberto Maroni, Minister of Internal Affairs of Italy Artur Baghdasaryan discussed a range of police and security related issues. Artur Baghdasaryan suggested that the Italian side assisted in the technical re-equipment of the RA Police, the proposal was accepted. The parties agreed to sign a police and security cooperation agreement on April 16, when the representative delegation of the Internal Affairs of Italy will arrive in Yerevan to participate in the jubilee celebration the RA Police Day. In addition, a customs cooperation agreement will be signed with the Italian side.
A sister-city memorandum was signed between Gyumri, Armenia and Priverno, Italy. Artur Baghdasaryan stated that, in the context of Armenia-Italy bilateral co-operation, it is very important to foster cooperation between cities of two countries. During the visit, Artur Baghdasaryan gave interviews to the Italian reputable dailies “Il Messaggero”, “La Stampa”, La Repubblica” and electronic newspapers “Apcon”, “Ansa”, “Senato Online.”