The Ambassador of Italy to Armenia H.E. Bruno Scapini kindly agreed to answer NEWS.am questions. Please find the full interview below.
Q.: Mr. Scapini, please outline the scope of Italy’s interests in Armenia and region on the whole. How important the region is for Rome and what are the reasons for that?
A.: Well, I want to say that Italy, of course, is interested in establishing good relations with all countries of the world. But with Armenia, I think that the state of relations has been up to now underweight, because there are a lot of potentialities that have been going to my view, since independence, a little too silent. So we just need now to bring up to the light all these potentialities, because from the perspective of the two countries, I think, there are many things we can share. There is a large convergence of economic and cultural interests and cultural models that actually can be a very good resource for cooperation. What I mean to say is that you need to develop an economic export oriented basis, and the approach that the Italian entrepreneurs might have can be conducive to a very good result and to a very good collaboration.
Q.: Do you think it is possible to attract investments from Italy or elsewhere to develop economy in Armenia?
A.: Yes, it is possible, but of course it’s important to have the right knowledge of the entrepreneurships of the two countries. And I think one of the very first things we must think of in the future is just to develop good opportunities to get the Italian entrepreneurship to come to Armenia and vice-versa in order to improve mutual knowledge and mutual acquaintance.
Q.: Presently, the Armenian-Turkish normalization process launched. What is Italy’s position in this regard? To your mind, will Ankara open the border gate?
A.: Well, the problem of the Turkish border, I think, is just one of the two important questions of foreign policy that Armenia has to face to. The other question of course is Nagorno-Karabakh and generally speaking, I am inclined to think that the solution of your regional problems is just the prerequisite in order to give the opportunity to Armenia to develop economically. And the position of Italy is to support all peaceful initiatives in order to settle in a definite manner these questions. Italy considers as praiseworthy the Armenian position to try to solve these problems in a peaceful way and through negotiations. The OSCE Minsk Group activity is very important in this perspective because it can really help the country to overcome all the difficulties that can derive from the single bilateral relations between Armenia-Turkey on one side and Armenia-Azerbaijan on the other. But I think it’s really urgent today to solve these regional problems, because that can allow the country to look into the future in a positive way, without barriers. That is most important. So, I think that to talk about the possibility to eliminate this obstacle with Turkey can really help the country in order to gain a wider market. And that is what the Armenian Government shows to have in mind now with the present step taken with the two Protocols for the establishment of diplomatic relations. But I think the other problem is to reach a peaceful settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh crisis. That is also another important factor in order not only to open the borders towards other areas of the region, but also to inspire the necessary trust for foreign investors.
Q.: Do you think that opening of the border will stimulate the export-import and cooperation between Armenia and Turkey?
A.: Why not? I think that even today I see a lot of contacts with Turkey for touristic purposes. As Armenian tourists go to Turkey, it could be possible just the contrary. So I think this factor is also of great significance. In any case to have closed borders for a country is not a favorable condition. It is important, particularly for Armenia, which is a landlocked country, to have free trade with foreign partners and at a lesser cost. In this respect I look upon the program that the Government launched about the construction of highways and railways with great interest.
Q.: Another problematic issue of the region is Karabakhi conflict. What do you think, will the parties eventually reach a consensus? Will Karabakh achieve independence?
A.: Actually, I think that two partners involved should solve the problem in a peaceful way and it would be just a folly to think otherwise. I do feel that a compromise must be found. A compromise does not mean that either party should give up its views, but it’s just a matter of adjustment sometimes, just to balance the needs of the parties involved. I think, in this perspective, that the work the OSCE Minsk Group is doing now about Nagorno-Karabakh, is just the proper way to cope with this question. In other words the Minsk Group is trying to get both parties to come to a compromise. Compromise means to be reasonable, to accept logical situations and conditions that can be beneficial to both sides. We speak of globalization today, but globalization implies transparency. We must get involved in this process, but in a sound way, which means we must cooperate and activate partnerships at all levels in order to solve the problem.
Q.: Speaking globally, how can be Italy interested in Armenia?
A.: Given the presence of a wide convergence of links between our two countries, based not only on religion, Christianity, but also on common historical experience, I think that there is a very good disposition on the side of Armenia to collaborate with Italy in many fields and not only economically, but also culturally. And from the cultural viewpoint, I think that much can be done to improve our contacts and cooperation, for instance is the field of opera. I noticed since the beginning of my stay here that there is a very strong disposition on the part of Armenia to develop the knowledge of lyric singing, which means that Italy, being the cradle of opera, can offer the best product to cooperate, and that is exactly what we are planning to do. Then, we have also many projects of cooperation in order to help Armenia to restore archeological sites and that is also a very important point. We have an archeological mission supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through a special body, which is the CNR (National Research Center) concerning the area of the Lake of Sevan. It is going to complete its work next year. Then we have also other projects through international organizations that are being carried out with the assistance of the United Nations Development Program: for example the project in the village of Lusadzor – which was recently completed — and the one for brucellosis control with FAO. Another relevant point of the economy is the development of rural areas and in that field I think we can afford to be optimistic about the future.
Q.: What is the probability of Armenia-Azerbaijan military conflict in the light of changes in the region after the August 2008 war?
A.: This is a very strong question, because I would hardly think there could be a conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh again. What happened almost twenty years ago should just be once and for all. Now I would prefer to talk about the possible peaceful solution and it is actually what Italy wants. To resort to weapons or military confrontation is not in the interest of any of the parties involved — neither Armenia, nor Azerbaijan.
Q.: The other day you stated that Italy is ready to assist the construction of Yerevan-Batumi highway and Iran-Armenia railway. Please specify how Italian side could participate in these projects.
A.: When I had the meeting with the RA Minister of Transport and Communication I said that Italy could be ready to evaluate any form of participation in transport field. What I meant is that there are some procedures to follow, as these important works need to be publicized through international biddings. Italian enterprises can participate, but they have to abide by certain conditions that will be stated by Armenian authorities. To be able to carry out the work, funds should be provided, but I think those who are interested in carrying out the work can also consider some kind of financial assistance. But that is a technical matter actually. According to me there could surely be Italian enterprises interested in Armenia. And I will do my best to assist Italian entrepreneurships also in this kind of perspective.
