YEREVAN. – Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian on Tuesday met with Paolo Gentiloni, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, who is paying an official visit to capital city Yerevan.

The talk started with a tête-à-tête, and continued with an extended format discussion with the participation of delegations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Nalbandian noted that Armenian-Italian relations have a millennia-old history, and this is a good foundation for further strengthening and deepening of cooperation. He also underscored his Italian counterpart’s current visit to Armenia.

Gentiloni, for his part, stressed that Italy is interested in further developing cooperation with Armenia, and stands ready to take the respective steps.

Subsequently, the two FMs discussed matters on their agenda as well as urgent regional and international issues.

They exchanged views on the avenues for further development of Armenia-Italy cooperation.

Minister Nalbandian highlighted cultural collaboration.

The interlocutors also expressed satisfaction with cooperation in defense sector.

In addition, the two FMs conferred on the ongoing negotiations regarding a new Armenia-European Union (EU) framework agreement.

Separately, Edward Nalbandian briefed Paolo Gentiloni on the ongoing efforts, by Armenia and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group co-chair countries (Russia, US, and France), to push the Nagorno Karabakh peace process forward. In this connection, the Armenian FM underscored the position of Italy—as the future OSCE chairing country—to support the said efforts of the Minsk Group co-chairs.

At the end of the talk, the two FMs signed a joint statement on the founding of a regional center—in Armenia—for the preservation and restoration of cultural heritage.

Afterward, Edward Nalbandian and Paolo Gentiloni held a joint news conference.