Today Armenian President Robert Kocharian met with President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe Giovanni Di Stasi. The Armenian leader welcomed the establishment of business relations between the Council of Europe Congress and the RA government. "The formation of the local self-government is an important factor for the stability of a state", Robert Kocharian noted. In his words, decentralization is the principal direction of regional policy and this direction found reflection in the draft constitutional amendments. During the meeting the parties exchanged opinions on the regional development. In this view Giovanni Di Stasi offered to found a regional center of the local self-government, which will contribute to the establishment of economic, social and cultural cooperation. The Armenian President welcomed the idea noting that Armenia has always supported regional cooperation.