Tuesday, 10 May 2011
Prime Minister and Head of Friuli Region Discuss Broad Range of Armenian-Italian Cooperation Issues
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received today a delegation led by Head of Friuli Regon Renzo Tondo. The meeting was attended by Italian ambassador to Armenia Bruno Scappini.
Greeting the guests, the Prime Minister highly appreciated the current level of bilateral relations and emphasized the need for developing decentralized cooperation between the regions.
Thankful for reception, Renzo Tondo introduced those Italian businessmen involved in the delegation who were said to be interested in our country’s investment opportunities. They have arrived in Armenia to strengthen and develop ties between the Tavush marz and the Italian region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
The parties have discussed the prospects of Armenian-Italian cooperation. The head of government took the opportunity to dwell on the CANDLE project. In this context, he spoke about the establishment of an oncology center on the basis of the new accelerator under construction. Meeting halfway the Italian side’s keen interest for the project, the Prime Minister suggested cooperating with the Institute of Psychics, State Committee of Science and the National Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia.
The interlocutors went on to discuss a broad range of issues of mutual concern. Farming, furniture fabrication, textile industry, architecture, garbage processing and management were cited as prospective areas of cooperation. In the context of agricultural cooperation, Tigran Sargsyan spoke about the creation of a free economic zone and a refrigerating facility at Zvartnots international airport. The two sides said to be pleased with the current level of Armenian-Italian cultural ties.
In turn, Renzo Tondo reminded that Udine, the administrative center of Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, is the first Italian town to have recognized the Armenian Genocide. There is an Armenian Park in Udine dedicated to Genocide’s innocent victims.
Thanking the Prime Minister for reception, Ambassador Bruno Scappini said in turn that the intellectual potential and the high level of Armenia’s professional background are among its key assets.
Stressing the need for full realization of cooperation potentialities, the Ambassador introduced his initiative on founding an Armenian-Italian chamber of commerce as part of the all-Italian network of chambers of commerce. It is expected to allow Armenian businessmen to extend the scope of business contacts.
