Monday, 27 August 2012
PM Receives Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy, Secretary of State Marta Dassù. The sides discussed a wide range of issues related to bilateral relations. “There is a great potential for the development of Armenian-Italian relations and a great amount of work should be carried out in that direction. I am sure that your visit to Armenia will contribute to the strengthening of our bilateral relations,” said Tigran Sargsyan.
Highly appreciating the Armenian-Italian political cooperation, the parties stressed the importance of developing and further deepening of economic relations as well. For this purpose, an Armenian-Italian business forum will be organized in September, and an Armenian-Italian Chamber of Commerce will be founded.
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan noted that the Armenian side is interested in the creation of an Armenian-Italian intergovernmental commission, and an agreement has already been achieved with the Italian side.
The Head of the Government presented the emerging concept of free economic zones in Armenia to Marta Dassù. In this context, the parties touched upon the possible involvement in the free economic zones of Italian companies, operating in the fields of modern technologies and innovations.
Marta Dassù conveyed the warm greetings of the Prime Minister of Italy Mario Monti to Tigran Sargsyan and expressed the hope, that in the near future there would be an opportunity to meet with the Head of the Italian Government.
Mrs. Dassù stated that Italy is also interested in raising the relations with Armenia to a new level and, in this regard, attached great importance to the visit of the Minister of Defence of Italy to Armenia in October.
Speaking of economic relations, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy noted, that Italian companies are very interested in participating in the Armenian infrastructure projects. Mrs. Dassù assured that Italy is ready to assist Armenia in euro-integration processes.
Afterwards, the parties discussed issues related to the development of the textile industry, tourism, agriculture, as well as possible cooperation and development of bilateral relations in astrophysics.
