On March 6 RA National Assembly Mr Hovik Abrahamyan received the delegation headed by Deputy Foreign Minister of Italy, Senator Mr Alfredo Mantica. The RA Deputy Foreign Minister Mr Arman
Kirakosyan and the Ambassador of the Republic of Italy to the Republic of Armenia Mr Massimo Lavezzo Cassinelli attended the meeting.
Highly assessing the current level of the created relations between the two countries RA NA President Mr Hovik Abrahamyan highlighted the development of the inter-parliamentary relations and noted that the ties between the parliaments had big potential of development. Noting about the prerequisites of cooperation Mr Abrahamyan highlighted the mutual visits of the deputies of the parliaments of the two countries between the committees, friendship groups and staffs. It was noted that a parliamentary friendship group with Italy was set up in the National Assembly, the activity of which would also promote the deepening of relations. Emphasizing that the European integration of Armenia was one of the priorities the NA President highlighted the cooperation in different directions within the formats EU New Neighbourhood policy and Eastern Partnership. Welcoming the growing interest of EU member countries towards the region Mr Abrahamyan underlined that Armenia highlighted the strengthening of trust, provision of peace, stability in the South Caucasus and cooperation with all neighbouring countries.
RA NA President Mr Hovik Abrahamyan reaffirmed his invitation of visiting Armenia on an official visit of the Presidents of the two chambers, Senate and Camera, of the parliament of the Republic of Italy and expressed confidence that the development of the inter-parliamentary relations would promote the strengthening of cooperation between the two countries.
Deputy Foreign Minister of Italy, Senator Mr Alfredo Mantica also stressed the necessity of making closer the inter-parliamentary relations at all levels reserving great role to the parliamentary diplomacy with regards to the development of the relations of the two countries. It was noted that in future Italy-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group would be set up. Mr Mantica highlighted the cooperation in international structures and the cooperation within the framework EU Eastern Partnership programme. The Deputy Foreign Minister stressed the importance of peace and stability in South Caucasus region. To his conviction it is necessary to develop the cooperation in the sphere of economy, activate the partnership between the region, cities of Italy and Armenia.
At the meeting the sides touched upon inner-political issues, the settlement of Nagorno Karabkah conflict and other issues of bilateral interest, too.