Italy expands development cooperation in Armenia and abroad

Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Edmondo Cirielli has concluded a two-day mission to Armenia, marking a strengthening of bilateral ties and trade between Rome and Yerevan. During the visit, the opening of a new office for the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) in Yerevan was announced. Operating from October, this office will oversee cooperation efforts in Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

In a separate meeting at the Farnesina, Cirielli presided over the fifth Joint Committee for Development Cooperation meeting for 2026. The committee approved a package of interventions totaling approximately 260 million euros. Key allocations include 20 million euros for agricultural digitalization in Ghana, 15 million euros for the reconstruction of Ukraine, and 2 million euros for refugee inclusion in Armenia in coordination with the UNHCR and FAO. Additionally, funding was approved for public budget support in Vietnam and environmental regeneration projects in Central Asia.