I believe in the Armenian-Italian friendship and the real potential for the development of cooperation. President Armen Sarkissian met with Roberto Fico, the President of Italy’s Chamber of Deputies

Today, the President of the Republic of Armenia Armen Sarkissian, in Italy on a state visit, met with Roberto Fico, the Chairman of the Chamber of Deputies of Italy.

Welcoming the state visit of the President of Armenia to Italy, Roberto Fico noted that it is a new opportunity to discuss bilateral relations and partnership between the two parliaments. "We highly appreciate the friendship with Armenia. I hope that our two parliaments will further strengthen those relations with their activity,” said the Chairman of Italy’s Chamber of Deputies, noting that they are very interested in Armenia and establishing peace and stability in the region.

President Sarkissian stressed that Armenia attaches particular importance to strengthening interaction with Italy in all directions, considering inter-parliamentary cooperation an essential constituent of interstate relations. "I believe in the Armenian-Italian friendship and the real potential for the development of cooperation. I strive to work for the development of that cooperation," said President Sarkissian. "You have a parliamentary democracy with great experience in your country. Armenia is only a three-year parliamentary republic; we have a lot to learn from you."

President Sarkissian stressed the importance of cooperation of the National Assembly of Armenia and the two chambers of the Italian Parliament, and in this context, the planned visit of Roberto Fico to Armenia and the activities of friendship groups working in the parliaments.

The President of Armenia expressed his gratitude to the Chamber of Deputies for recognizing the Armenian Genocide on April 10, 2019, and Roberto Fico’s personal position on this issue. This fact best demonstrates Italy's commitment to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

During the meeting, President Sarkissian referred to the 44-day war in Artsakh, and the consequent situation in the country and in the region, especially the humanitarian issues. He recalled with gratitude the resolution, adopted by the Italian Parliament on March 2 this year, which calls for the release of Armenian prisoners of war.

The interlocutors emphasized the significance of the Armenia-EU cooperation, where Italy has a prominent role, as one of the pivotal directions on the agenda of bilateral relations. President Sarkissian noted that Armenia highly appreciates the multi-faceted cooperation with the EU in such spheres as strengthening democratic institutions, human rights, and implementing joint programs of sustainable development and effective governance.