YEREVAN, APRIL 11, ARMENPRESS. On April 10, Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, who is in Rome within the delegation headed by the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, met Foreign Minister of Italy Paolo Gentiloni.

The Press, Information, and Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia informed “Armenpress” that the Ministers discussed steps undertaken towards the development of bilateral relations, expressing confidence that the visit of the President of Armenia will contribute to the strengthening and enhancement of the Armenian-Italian cooperation. Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and Italy shared the view that historically close ties and traditions of mutual friendship of the two peoples serve as a firm ground for the deepening of bilateral relations.

The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Italy reflected on the issues of the enhancement of the legal framework, fostering of cooperation within multi-lateral formats, holding of regular consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of two states.

Edward Nalbandian presented to his Italian counterpart the schedule of forthcoming events in Armenia and around the globe within the Centenary of the Armenian Genocide, stressing that this symbolic anniversary should contribute to the major goal of prevention of acts of genocide in the future, towards which Armenia exerts active efforts. In this context, Minister Nalbandian expressed gratitude to Italy for co-sponsorship of the Genocide Prevention Resolution, initiated by Armenia at the UN Human Rights Council.

Issues of Armenia-European Union cooperation were on the agenda of the meeting.

The Ministers touched upon pressing international and regional issues. Edward Nalbandian presented to Paolo Gentiloni joint the efforts of Armenia and OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs towards exceptionally peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.