ArmInfo. On July 31, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received a delegation led by Italian President Sergio Mattarella. The prime minister welcomed the visit of the head of the Italian Republic to the Republic of Armenia and expressed confidence that he would bring Armenian-Italian relations to a new level.
"I am glad to welcome you, as it is customary to say today, in the new Armenia, at the moment we are carrying out important, historic democratic changes and I hope that you noted these changes and the spirit of optimism during your visit," Pashinyan said. According to the Armenian government, Armenia highly values friendly relations with Italy and is ready to make efforts for their further development and strengthening.
Touching upon the Karabakh settlement, Pashinyan thanked the head of the Italian Republic for the balanced attitude of Italy in this matter and assistance to the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group. As the Armenian Premier pointed out, Armenia is interested in a peaceful resolution of the conflict and is ready to continue its efforts to facilitate the negotiation process.
Sergio Matarella, in turn, thanked for the warm welcome and attached importance to the expansion of bilateral relations in various areas. Matarella also said that Italy will continue a balanced policy in the resolution of the Karabakh conflict. He assured that during the OSCE chairmanship Italy will make every effort for an exclusively peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group. As the President stressed, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has no military settlement and the only way is a political solution to the problem.
The sides noted the importance of ensuring stability in the region and the formation of a dialogue and an atmosphere of peace between the opposing sides. The Prime Minister of Armenia and the President of Italy also touched upon the RA-EU framework agreement. Matarella assured that he will make efforts for the speedy ratification of the document by the Italian parliament. The interlocutors also discussed issues relating to areas of bilateral interest, in particular, the prospects for cooperation in the spheres of economy and defense.