RA President took part in the opening ceremony of a 13th century Armenian cross-stone in Rome.

Armenia’s president Serzh Sargsyan who is currently in Italy on a working visit met the mayor of Rome Gianni Alemanno on Tuesday.

Serzh Sargsyan has stressed that he visits Rome with great pleasure as the history of Rome is strongly connected with Armenia’s history. According to the president the four ancient maps on the wall of the Roman forum clearly show that Armenia and Italy have been neighbors once and today Armenia and Italy continue a strong cooperation.

President Serzh Sargsyan mentioned with pleasure that the opening ceremony of a 13th century Armenian cross-stone will take place in the center of Rome.

As the president pointed out the cross-stone placed in Rome will represent the longevity of Armenian-Italian relations. It is also a great chance for the residents of Rome to get acquainted with the Armenian culture.

Serzh Sargsyan expressed hope that over time Armenian-Italian relations will develop and that Rome City Mayor Gianni Alemanno will pay his contribution to it. Serz Sargsyan seized the opportunity to thank Gianni Alemanno for the contribution of Rome’s City hall in helping to organize “Dvin - Armenian capital between Europe and Asia” exhibition in the framework of the “Silk Road” project.

After the meeting in the presence of Serzh Sargsyan the mayors of Yerevan and Rome opened the Armenian cross-stone in front of the Rome Museum in Palazzo Braschi in the center of Rome. After the opening ceremony the president visited the “Dvin: Armenian capital between Europe and Asia” exhibition.

Armenian president will also meet the vice president of OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, head of Italian delegation in OSCE PA Riccardo Migliori. At the end of the day Serzh Sargsyan will meet Italy’s business community.