On March 19, Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian received Giovanni Ricciulli, Ambassador of Italy to Armenia on the occasion of completing his diplomatic mission in Armenia.

Minister Nalbandian thanked Ambassador Ricciulli for his work, acknowledging that throughout the years of his tenure as Ambassador, the Armenian-Italian relations have been continuously developing. Minister Nalbandian commended the intensification of the political dialogue and reciprocal visits between the two countries, the establishment of the Armenian-Italian intergovernmental commission, deepening of economic cooperation, boosting of cultural exchanges and the expansion of the legal framework.

Ambassador of Italy expressed his gratitude for the support provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia throughout his mission and expressed conviction that the mutually beneficial cooperation between Armenia and Italy would further develop for the benefit of peoples of two friendly countries.

During the meeting the sides exchanged views on the joint efforts towards expansion of the Armenian-Italian relations, discussed the Armenia - European Union cooperation.

At the end of the meeting, Edward Nalbandian awarded Ambassador Giovanni Ricciulli with the Medal of Honour of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia for the personal contribution to the development of Armenian-Italian relations.