Yerevan, Venice interested in deepening cooperation.

Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received on Monday Mayor of Venice Giorgio Orsoni, who is on his first-ever visit to Armenia. He came to Yerevan to participate in the celebrations of Yerevan World Book Capital 2012.

Present at the meeting was Italia's Ambassador to Armenia Bruno Scapini.

"We are glad to receive you, especially after a recent cooperation agreement signed between Yerevan and Venice. I believe that the agreement has opened a new chapter in the bilateral relations. We are greatly interested in deepening cooperation. Armenia great potential for collaboration in a number of sector and our government will make efforts to realize that potential," said Mr Sargsyan.

The Mayor of Venice thanked the Armenian official for the warm reception, stressing that enhancement of economic and cultural ties is among the top priorities of the sister cities. (in December 2011 Yerevan and Venice signed a cooperation agreement during Armenian President's visit to Italy).

The interlocutors also discussed the possibility of cooperation in different areas, with Tigran Sargsyan singling out tourism and textile industry as promising areas of cooperation. With respect to tourism development, the sides stressed the need for direct air communication. Giorgio Orsoni said that the Italian side is interested in cooperation and is ready to share experience.

The sides stressed the need for developing contacts between Armenian and Italian business circles. In this context, they stressed the importance of an Armenian-Italian business conference to be held in Italy in autumn. The conference will cover a wide range of issues of mutual interest.