Today President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian, who is on a state visit to Italy, met with President of the Italian Senate Maria Elisabetta Casellati, as reported the Staff of the President of Armenia.

Maria Casellati welcomed Sarkissian on behalf of herself and the Senate and said the state visit of the President of Italy to Armenia in 2018 and the state visit of the President of Armenia to Italy this year serve as a great impetus for the cooperation between the two countries.

The Armenian president attached importance to meetings with the heads of legislatures during his visits abroad, referring to the major role that parliaments play in the development of interstate relations and the formation of an atmosphere of mutual confidence and mutual understanding. “Armenia is interested in seeing closer ties between the parliaments of both countries, including within international organizations and within the scope of interparliamentary assemblies,” Sarkissian said.

The interlocutors also talked about the developments and problems in the region. President Sarkissian particularly touched upon humanitarian issues and, in this context, mentioned that, in spite of the efforts and calls of the international community, Azerbaijani still keeps Armenian prisoners of war detained to this day.

The parties also touched upon the directions and prospects for cooperation between Armenia and the European Union.