Regular political consultations between the foreign ministries of Armenia and Italy were held in Yerevan Wednesday, headed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Armenia Vahan Kostanyan and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy Edmondo Cirielli, Armenian News-NEWS.am was informed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Armenia.

The interlocutors lauded the intensifying political dialogue between Armenia and Italy. In this context, the importance of the participation of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the European Political Community summit held in Yerevan in May was also noted.

A number of directions of the Armenia-Italy bilateral agenda were discussed, including the prospects for expanding cooperation in development cooperation.

In the context of Armenia’s foreign economic relations and diversification of export markets, the interlocutors discussed the possibilities of expanding Armenia-Italy trade and economic cooperation, encouraging mutual investments, and strengthening direct ties between the business circles of the two countries. The importance of making the most of the existing economic potential was emphasized, also taking into account the expanded functions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Armenia in economic diplomacy.

Vahan Kostanyan welcomed the decision of the Italian side to open a regional office of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) in Yerevan, emphasizing that it is an important commitment to the long-term partnership between the two countries. Italy’s decision to provide 2 million euros in assistance to displaced persons in Armenia was also highly appreciated.

The deepening of the Armenia-EU partnership and the opportunities for further development of Armenia-Italy cooperation in this regard were also touched upon.

Views were exchanged on regional and international developments, too. In this regard, Vahan Kostanyan briefed his Italian colleague on the latest developments aimed at strengthening peace in the South Caucasus and the respective positive dynamics formed after the Washington agreements, also touching upon new opportunities for the development of regional connectivity and expansion of economic cooperation, including within the framework of the implementation of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) regional transport project.