Working visit of President Serzh Sargsyan to Italy and Vatican

On 12 December, President Serzh Sargsyan arrived to Italy on a working visit. At the first day of the visit, the President of Armenia met in Vatican with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. After the private meeting of President Sargsyan and His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI met also with the Armenian delegation headed by the President.

The President of Armenia and His Holiness noted with satisfaction existing high level relations between Armenia and Vatican. The parties exchanged views on cooperation between the Holy See of Etchmiadzin and Catholic Church. They also discussed the role of the two Churches in the promotion of common well-being. The two sides stressed the importance of bringing up generations in the spirit of Christian values.

On 12 December, President Serzh Sargsyan met also with the Vatican's Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.

The two sides stressed the necessity of deepening high level relations. President Sargsyan and Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone spoke also about strengthening cultural ties. Serzh Sargsyan expressed thanks to Vatican for preserving Armenian cultural heritage abroad. The two sides expressed confidence that appointment of Ambassadors in Armenia and Vatican will promote further deepening of bilateral relations.

After meeting with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, President Serzh Sargsyan visited Saint Peter Cathedral in Rome and monument of Saint Grigor Illuminator situated in the external alcove.

On the first day of his visit, President Sargsyan visited also San Nicola Armenian Catholic Church in Rome.



***


President Serzh Sargsyan, who is in Italy on a working visit, met on 13 December with the President of the Italian Republic Giorgio Napolitano.

The President of Armenia said that he recalls with particular warmth his visit to friendly Italy on the occasion of the celebrations dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the country’s unification and his participation at the festive events.

Serzh Sargsyan underscored the importance of the fact that the start of the celebrations dedicated to the 500th anniversary of the Armenian book-printing – the Venice exhibition – is conducted under the high patronage of President Napolitano. On this occasion, the President of Italy said that Venice has been playing a very important role in the Armenians’ life, particularly because it has become a fulcrum of educational and cultural development. According to the President of Italy, there are no obstacles for the further rapprochement of the two peoples. At the meeting, the two sides expressed confidence that the working visit of the Armenian President provides a good opportunity to discuss on the highest level the Armenian-Italian relations and outline new and prospective areas of cooperation. Among such areas the Presidents of Armenia and Italy mentioned energy, particularly, alternative also nuclear energy. President Serzh Sargsyan invited Italian companies to participate in the implementation of the projects in Armenia, including the construction of the new nuclear power station, considering Italy’s experience in this area.

From the viewpoint of the development of economic relations, the two Presidents stressed the importance of frequent contacts of the businessmen and organization of the business forums. With this regard, at the meeting held this morning, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the two states have already reached agreement. President Napolitano expressed hope that President Sargsyan’s meeting with the representatives of business circles of Italy will become a new impetus for the attraction of Italian investments in the Armenian economy and economic development of the two countries.

Serzh Sargsyan and Giorgio Napolitano spoke also about cooperation between Armenia and the European Union, discussed regional issues, including the NK peace process.



***


On 13 December, President Serzh Sargsyan, who is in Italy on a working visit, met with the Mayor of Rome Gianni Alemanno.

The President of Armenia underscored that he was immensely pleased to conduct a visit to Rome, whose history intertwines with the history of the Armenian nation and Armenians. According to Serzh Sargsyan, four ancient historical maps on the wall of the Forum Romanum prove that there had been times when the Roman Empire and Armenia were neighbors – two bordering, sovereign states, and today Armenia and Italy continue to efficiently cooperate on that solid historical base.

President Sargsyan noted with satisfaction that today, a 13th century Armenian cross-stone will be opened for demonstration at the center of Rome. According to the President, the Armenian cross-stone, a cultural symbol of the Armenian nation, which was included by UNESCO on the list of Human non material cultural heritage, in the Eternal City will signify the perpetuity of the Armenian-Italian friendship. It is also a great opportunity for the citizens of Rome and guests of the city to familiarize with and join to the Armenian culture.

President Sargsyan expressed hope that cooperation with Rome will deepen by year and contribution of Mayor Alemanno to further strengthening of the Armenian-Italian relations will become even more prominent. The President of Armenia said that the meeting with Mayor of Rome provides a good opportunity to express gratitude for the assistance provided by the City Hall of Rome in the organization of “Dvin: Armenian Capital between Europe and Asia” exhibition which was inaugurated on November 8 in the framework of the Silk Roads project.

After the meeting, in front of Brasco Museum located in the center of Rome, Mayors of Rome and Yerevan, in the presence of President Serzh Sargsyan, opened the Armenian cross-stone. Afterwards, the President of Armenia visited “Dvin: Armenian Capital between Europe and Asia” exhibition.



***



On 13 December, President Serzh Sargsyan met with the President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies Gianfranco Fini. The parties stressed the importance of strengthening interparliamentary relations, which, according to the parties, will be enhanced by active contacts and reciprocal visits.

In the context of strengthening interparliamentary relations, President Serzh Sargsyan and the President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies Gianfranco Fini along with the political component stressed the importance of economic and cultural components. The parties concurred that economic and cultural cooperation can lay a strong foundation for the further development of the relations between the two friendly peoples and states which rest on a solid historical and cultural base.

At the meeting, the parties reached agreement to take concrete steps toward that end. Serzh Sargsyan and Gianfranco Fini noted also that the Armenian and Italian peoples, which have mutually warm feelings for each other, among many other similarities have also one major thing in common – communities abroad.

In Rome, the President of Armenia met also with the Vice Chair of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Head of the Italian delegation at the OSCE PA Riccardo Migliori.

The parties stressed the importance of regular contacts and discussions which enhance cooperation between Armenia and OSCE, OSCE PA and National Assembly of Armenia. They also highlighted assistance provided by the OSCE to the process of reformation in Armenia.



***



President Serzh Sargsyan, who is in Italy on a working visit, on 13 December met with the representatives of the business community of the country.

(Statement by President Serzh Sargsyan at the meeting with the representatives of the Italian business community is presented in the News portal of the website)



***



President Serzh Sargsyan visited the Mkhitarian Congregation at the St. Lazarus Island in Venice, met with the members of the Congregation and representatives of spiritual and cultural Armenian organizations of Italy.

At the Church of the Congregation, the President of Armenia lit a candle for the Republic of Armenia, Armenian Spyurk and Nagorno Karabakh. According to President Sargsyan, it is a source of pride and a great honor to announce to the members of Mkhitarian Congregation in Venice the commencing of the events dedicated to the 500th anniversary of Armenian book-printing.

In his remarks, President Serzh Sargsyan hailed activities of the devotees of the Congregation who carry on their patriotic mission at the St. Lazarus Island, underscored that thanks to their work for many years “light has been radiating” from the Island, and that light should be disseminated and employed. “We cannot be isolated from the global processes, cannot live isolated from other nations, we have to preserve in this swiftly changing world our identity, using opportunities provided by the rapidly changing world and glorifying our ancestors we should keep strong the Armenian roots of our youngsters. This is our primary task and, I believe, now, when the entire Armenian nation has historical motherland, has statehood, these issues can be solved much easier,” the President of Armenia said. Speaking about the events dedicated to the 500th anniversary of Armenian book-printing, President Sargsyan noted that celebrations are not only tribute to our ancestors but also present a great and nice opportunity to show others our values and our commitment to these values. “We, as a state, as representatives of our nation stand ready to help the Mkhitarian Congregation, all Armenian structures and those who bring their contribution to Armenia and the Armenian-Italian friendship,” President Sargsyan stressed. In his words, many would ask what is “Armenian phenomenon?”, is it the world-spread Armenian Spyurk? The President noted that he is convinced that the Armenian phenomenon is our ability through the centuries to recognize and employ everything that is progressive. That very ability stipulated that the Armenians were the first nation in the world to adopt Christianity as state religion, invented alphabet, writing and literature long-long before any other nation and short after the invention of book-printing had been printing books in the Armenian. Serzh Sargsyan stressed the importance of the drive and guts which are coming from the ancestors, to be transferred to our young and to be carried on from generation to generation.

President Serzh Sargsyan responded also to the questions raised by the attendees. He noted that he was well aware of the problems faced by the Congregation, including the issue of digitalization. Serzh Sargsyan assured that the Government of Armenia will allot necessary funding to the Congregation to solve that issue. He said that the best way to preserve that valuable library is to digitalize it, as it is done in the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts – Matenadaran.

Today, at the Correr museum in Venice President Serzh Sargsyan participated at the opening of the “Armenia: Impressions of a Civilization” exhibition dedicated to the 500th anniversary of book-printing in Armenia. The President of Armenia thanked all those who have brought their participation to the organization of the exhibition, including the authorities of the Italian Republic, local administration of Venice, all state officials and diplomatic staff, those who have sacredly preserved the relics and, certainly, to the Correr Museum – one of the best museums in the world – for the implementation of this great and important project.

Later, President Sargsyan visited San Marco Cathedral of Venice and listened to the Armenian spiritual music concert.



***



Last night, at the Napoleon Hall of the Correr Museum in Venice, President Serzh Sargsyan hosted an official dinner which was attended by the representatives of local authorities and specialists of the Armenian studies who have arrived here from all over the world to participate at the opening of the “Armenia: Impressions of a Civilization” exhibition.

(Speech by President Serzh Sargsyan at the official dinner in Venice is presented in the News portal of the website)



***



President Serzh Sargsyan visited on 15 December the City Hall of Venice. The President of Armenia attended the ceremony of signing the agreement which commences the process of declaring Yerevan and Venice sister-cities. The document was signed by the Mayor of Yerevan Taron Margarian and Mayor of Venice Giorgio Orsoni.

The Mayor of Yerevan thanked his counterpart, Mayor Giorgio Orsoni for his readiness to support the process of announcing Yerevan and Venice sister-cities and for the warm welcome. Taron Margarian noted that both cities have rich historical and cultural heritage and excellent prospects of cooperation. He expressed confidence that cooperation between the sister-cities will be more efficient, encompassing all areas specified in the agreement. T. Margarian invited the Mayor of Venice to Yerevan to participate on April 23, 2012 at the celebrations dedicated to Yerevan – the World Book Capital event, and in October together with the delegation from Venice to participate at the celebration dedicated to the 2794th anniversary of Yerevan.

Giorgio Orsoni noted that Venice was greatly please to sign agreement with Yerevan on becoming sister-cities. In his words, this a great event for the peoples of both countries which signifies a new step in the sixteen ages long road connecting Venice to the Armenian people. Mayor Orsoni underscored that throughout history, the bilateral relations have strengthened and enriched with new achievements not only between Venice, Mkhitarian Congregation but also between Venice, the Armenian state and active and large Armenian communities all over the world. According to the Mayor, the Armenians are part of Venice’s history starting from the very origin of the city and has always been instrumental in the economic, cultural and spiritual development of the city.

Mayor Orsoni said that it was enigmatic that the day before, at the discussions in the City Hall dedicated to the agreement on establishing sister-cities status a question was raised why Venice had not signed such agreement with the capital of Armenia decades ago.

After the signing ceremony, President Serzh Sargsyan congratulated the Mayors of Yerevan and Venice and thanked the City Hall of the city for highlighting the importance and necessity of such document. According to the President of Armenia, it is called to proved once again that the two nations are no strangers to each other and ages-long friendly relations inherited from our ancestors should be continue and elevated to a new higher level.