By Baris Seckin
ROME (AA) - Italy’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister Antonio Tajani said Saturday that his country welcomed a statement by Azerbaijan and Armenia on the path toward a peace agreement.
“Azerbaijan and Armenia decided to open a new chapter in their relations. Italy will stand by these two friendly nations,” according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry.
“With an agreement that Italy has warmly endorsed, the two countries, long in dispute, are decisively embarking on a path we hope will soon lead to a comprehensive and final resolution, bringing peace.
“This marks a determined step that will bring them closer to Europe and open new avenues for collaboration, allowing Europeans to expand their areas of cooperation,” it added.
Tajani also noted that the signed agreement provides an opportunity for the "exchange of war prisoners," and he emphasized that it is a decisive measure for strengthening trust between the two countries.
He also congratulated Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan for their efforts.
*Writing by Esra Tekin in Istanbul