Sergio Mattarella: peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict has no  alternative

ArmInfo. On July 31, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received a delegation led by Italian President Sergio Mattarella. The prime minister welcomed the visit of the head of the Italian Republic to the Republic of Armenia and expressed confidence that he would bring Armenian-Italian relations  to a new level.

"I am glad to welcome you, as it is customary to say today, in the  new Armenia, at the moment we are carrying out important, historic  democratic changes and I hope that you noted these changes and the  spirit of optimism during your visit," Pashinyan said. According to  the Armenian government, Armenia highly values friendly relations  with Italy and is ready to make efforts for their further development  and strengthening.

Touching upon the Karabakh settlement, Pashinyan thanked the head of  the Italian Republic for the balanced attitude of Italy in this  matter and assistance to the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group. As the  Armenian Premier pointed out, Armenia is interested in a peaceful  resolution of the conflict and is ready to continue its efforts to  facilitate the negotiation process.

Sergio Matarella, in turn, thanked for the warm welcome and attached  importance to the expansion of bilateral relations in various areas.  Matarella also said that Italy will continue a balanced policy in the  resolution of the Karabakh conflict. He assured that during the OSCE  chairmanship Italy will make every effort for an exclusively peaceful  settlement of the Karabakh conflict within the framework of the OSCE  Minsk Group. As the President stressed, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict  has no military settlement and the only way is a political solution  to the problem.

The sides noted the importance of ensuring stability in the region  and the formation of a dialogue and an atmosphere of peace between  the opposing sides. The Prime Minister of Armenia and the President  of Italy also touched upon the RA-EU framework agreement. Matarella  assured that he will make efforts for the speedy ratification of the  document by the Italian parliament. The interlocutors also discussed  issues relating to areas of bilateral interest, in particular, the  prospects for cooperation in the spheres of economy and defense.