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MARCO CLEMENTE: I'VE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY MORE THAN ONCE TO MAKE SURE OF FRIENDLY RELATIONS BETWEEN ARMENIA AND ITALY

Interview of the Italian Ambassador Marco Clemente to the ARMINFO correspondent Marina Ananikyan

Q: -What do you think about the current state of armenian-italian political relations and the prospects for their development?

A: The bilateral political relations have been particularly intense in the last few years and can be described as utterly excellent. I have had the opportunity to witness the existence of these warm relations in all his calls on the Armenian authorities during his first week after my arrival - beginning with the meeting with President Kocharian to whom I was allowed to present my credentials, as a further demonstration of the friendship between Armenia and Italy - only a few days after my arrival in Armenia.

The relations had received a strong impulse in the year 2000 with the opening of the Embassy of Italy in Yerevan (the Armenian Embassy in Rome had already been active for some years before then). The new premisis of the Embassy have been inaugurated by President Kocharian and His Holiness the Catholicos Karekin II in June 2002.

There have been several visits and meeting by members of the two government: most lately, the visit of FM Oskanian to Rome in June 2002, the visit of the Italian Deputy FM Mrs Boniver to Yerevan in July 2002 and another visit to Yerevan (this time as head of a EU delegation) of Mrs Boniver in July 2003.

A special role in the bilateral relations has been played by the development and emergency aid. Italy was the first foreign country to arrive in Armenia after the tragic earthquake in 1988. Ever since, the Italian government has provided substantial development aid either directly or through international organisations In 2002 the assistance aid committed by Italy amounted to more of 1.7 million Euro. These efforts have certainly created a positive atmosphere of friendship and trust which was intrumental to the strenghthening also of the political relations.

The main factors that determine the present situation are: the interest of Italy (also as a member of international organisations such as the EU, OSCE and the Council of Europe) in the South Caucasus region both politically and economically; the common cultural ties (further strenghthen by the belonging to Christianity); the presence of a successful and well integrated Armenian-Italian community in Italy.

The relations will be enhanced by the fact that since July until December 2003 Italy is the President of the EU. It is a further evidence of the special importance Italy attaches to the region the fact that, just a few days from the beginning of Italy's EU Presidency, a visit to the South Caucasus by the EU ministerial troika (led by the Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Mrs Boniver) vas organised as well as the new EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus (Ambassador Talvitie) was appointed.

Q: -Is the italian side satisfied with the level of bilateral economic cooperation? What are the prospects in this sphere? Which sectors of the Armenian economy are considered most attractive for the potential italian investors?

A: The balance of bilateral economic relations between Armenia and Italy has always seen a prevalence of imports from Italy over exports to Italy. For instance, in 2002 the balance was 36 million US$ imports over 1.6 million US$ exports. At present Italy ranks third after Germany and Belgium with 14.3% of all exports from the European Union to Armenia. Given the high potentialities as regards the commercial relations between the two countries, these volumes can not be considered as satisfying and can and must be increased in the future. The present interchange could benefit with the organization of fairs and exhibitions both in Italy and Armenia: moreover, the Italian Embassy has planned a much closer activity with the Italian Institute of Foreign Trade and the Italian Foreign Trade Ministry in order to improve the trade exchange.

The products Armenia exports to Italy are mainly textile products, woods, leather and furs. Imports from Italy include all kinds of machine-tools; wood and metal working machines, manifactured food. Main Italian companies: Renco-Armenia (hotels, residential buildings and oil/gas monitoring stations); Loveble-Italia (lingerie); AM&PG Group (security documents and printing), ACEA and Sogin (these companies have won contracts financed by the international financing institutions and are involved respectively in the restructuring of the water distribution and the maintenance of the Medzamor nuclear plant).

Q:-Are armenia and italy going to carry out any joint projects in the sphere of political, economic and military cooperation?

A: In the first weeks after my arrival in Armenia I have called on almost all Ministers of the Armenian cabinet to start to study with them the possibility of joint projects in various fields of actrivity. Discussions are under way already with some branches of the government in view of some concrete steps in the near future. Of course it is a process which needs time to bear concrete results but I am confident about the outcome because there is a sincere and profound desire by the two governments to strenghthen their bilateral relations.

Particular stress must be given to the sectors where bilateral agreements and documents already exist and have been signed between Armenia and Italy: the Memorandum of Understanding in the field of health and medical science (signed April 1997 and in force from April 2000); the agreement on promotion and protection of investments (signed July 1998 and in force from January 2003; the agreement on abolition of double taxation (signed June 2002 - not yet in force); the agreement on air services (signed July 2002 - not yet in force); the cultural and scientific agreement (signed April 2003 - not yet inforce).

In the field of military co-operation, I am glad to inform that a programme has been implemented which envisages the partecipation of some young Armenian trainees to courses at a prestigious military academy in Italy. These courses are preceded by Italian language lessons organised by the Italian Embassy in Yerevan. Other joint projects are under consideration by the relevant authorities in Italy and Armenia.

Q: -Italy is currently chairing at the eu and in this context what are the prospects for peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict?

A: 2004 will offer fresh chances for resolution of the conflict concerning NK and the EU expects all parties to show full commitment to the work of the OSCE Minsk Group. The EU strongly urge Armenia and Azerbaijan to engage actively with each other without delay since there is no alternative to a political decision. There are many benefits result from conflict resolution and conflict prevention: more prosperity, better energy networks and inward investment.

The EU is ready to coordinate with other main actors and to contribute actively to the effort of the OSCE in conflict resolution, as well as to be more actively involved in conflict prevention, confidence building measures and post conflict rehabilitation. The effectiveness of the EU assistance is connected to the development of the peace process in the region and the EU stands ready to use its instrument to underpin concrete progress.

The EU expects both Armenia and Azerbaijan to give an active, positive reception to the expected new proposals of the Minsk Group co-Chair. The EU stresses that there is no time to lose. Nobody can afford to wait indefinitely for a solution. The EU would categorically reject any resort to force in an attempt to settle the conflict. But the EU takes very seriously the risk of a flare-up if things are left for too long.

The EU is ready to help, but it expects certain behaviour from the parties to the conflict. The recent appointment of the EU Special Representative for Southern Caucasus Ambassador Talvitie is certainly the evidence of the special importance attached by the Union to the region. The EU Special Representative will be working to assist work of existing mechanisms, and to prepare the return of peace to the region.

Q: -Can armenia's blockade by turkey and the latter's reluctance to recognize The armenian genocide be obstacles to that country's admission to the EU?

A: The end of the blockade and the recognition of the genocide do not represent pre-requisites demanded by the EU for the accession of Turkey to the Union. Nevetherless, a positive development in those two aspects could not failed to welcomed by the EU.

16 September, 2003
Marina Ananikyan, ARMINFO