On February 15 Mr. Tigran Torosyan, President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, received Mr. Marco Clemente, Ambassador of Italy to Armenia, on the occasion of the completion of his diplomatic mission.

Mr. Clemente, who goes back to Rome after working 3 years and 8 months in Armenia to officiate in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy, noted that he is sad for his departure, but he leaves with great professional and personal experience. He expressed his gratitude to the President of the National Assembly for personal and working warm relations, which helped him during his mission. Mr. Clemente ensured on behalf of the Presidents of two Chambers of the Italian Parliament and people friendly relations of his country towards Armenia and Armenian people, who could defend his European nature and returned to the European family with dignity, and Italy was one of the first countries that welcomed its entrance.

Mr. Marco Clemente, Ambassador of the Republic of Italy, highlighting the NA President’s and the Parliament’s contribution in the Armenian reforms and particularly in the reforms of the Electoral Code, expressed confidence that the legislative bases of holding the elections in compliance with European standards were established, and the country has all opportunities to prove the irreversibility of deepening of democracy in the May elections.

Mr. Tigran Torosyan, President of the National Assembly, wishing successes to the Ambassador in his further activity, thanked him for the productive work, which gave a good quality to the relations of two countries. Mr. Torosyan expressed hope that though the work of the next Ambassador will considerably be more difficult as Mr. Clemente did his best, the Armenian-Italian relations will continue to develop. The upcoming parliamentary elections were highlighted not only in the view of forming the power but also in continuing the implementation of general reforms. Mr. Torosyan expressed hope that they will fully comply with the international standards. He noted that doing its legislative duty, the National Assembly will have an important role also in the solution of technical problems. An agreement was reached with the international organizations implementing observation mission for cooperating with the working group comprised of political forces of the National Assembly in order to eliminate the technical problems emerged before the elections, and steps will be taken in that direction before the end of February.

Other issues were also touched upon during the meeting.