On June 10, Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian received Remo Ruffini, the Director of International Centre for Relativistic Astrophysics (ICRA) Network and the delegation headed by him. Radik Martirosyan, the President of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, Ambassadors of the Network’s founding countries – Italy and Brazil – attended the meeting.

Welcoming the guests, Minister Nalbandian mentioned, that the membership in the ICRANet proves the importance that Armenia attaches to the development of astrophysics and deepening of international cooperation in that field.

Expressing gratitude for the reception, Professor Ruffini emphasized that the geographic location of Armenia, achievements in field of science, particularly in astrophysics, and existing potential play an important role in the development of international cooperation in that field. He commended the support the Armenian authorities and academic circles provided for opening of the Network’s representation in Yerevan.

During the meeting, thoughts were exchanged on the prospects of the ICRANet activity and future projects.

Note. The International Centre for Relativistic Astrophysics Network (ICRANet) was founded in 2005 in Pescara, Italy (Constituent Agreement and the Charter were signed in 2003). The members are the Republic of Armenia, the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Italian Republic, the Vatican City, the University of Arizona (USA), Stanford University (USA) and International Center for Relativistic Astrophysics. The organization’s mission is to conduct educational and scientific programs in the field of relativistic astrophysics, as well as promote the international scientific cooperation in that field. The Network has headquarters in Pescara (the coordination centre), in the University of Rome “La Sapienza”, in Nice, and since 2013, in Rio de Janeiro.