Italian PM arriving in Russia July 22, 2012 - 14:09 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti is arriving in Moscow on Sunday, July 22 on his first official visit to Russia. According to RIA Novosti, during his two-day visit, which will also include a trip to the Black Sea city of Sochi, Monti will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. Monti became Prime Minister in November 2011 following the resignation of Silvio Berlusconi from the post under market pressure in the wake of the Italian debt crisis. Several contracts with Italian companies are expected to be signed during Monti’s talks with Medvedev. According to the Italian TMNews press agency, Monti is also planning to meet with his country’s ambassador to Moscow, Antonio Zanardi Landi, to discuss the operation of Italian energy, transport companies and banks in Russia. The agenda of Monti’s talks with the Russian leadership also includes international problems such as the Eurozone debt crisis, Russia’s partnership with the European Union and NATO, and the situation in Syria. The visit comes as part of preparations for the eighth round of Russian-Italian inter-governmental consultations at the ministerial level.   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant  Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan.Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan.Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia.U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. |
