Photo credit: vse-sekrety.com
Russian President starts his official visit in Italy today, July 4, TASS reports. The last time Vladimir Putin came to Rome four years ago. A visit to the peninsula to begin with a meeting with the Head of Catholic Church in the Vatican.
Vladimir Putin and Pope Francis will discuss the situation of Christians in Syria and the conflict in the Donbass. They will also touch on the development of a dialogue between Russian Orthodox and Catholic churches. The Kremlin noted that the dialogue of the churches is an important part of bilateral relations. It is not planned to raise the question of inviting the Pope to Russia at the meeting.
The parties approach to many important international topics from close positions, the Kremlin noted. Russian leader will also meet with his colleague Sergio Mattarella in Rome. They have a working breakfast scheduled. In addition, negotiations with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte to be held. Their conversation will continue at the official dinner.
The Administration of the President of Russian Federation noted that the visit should fix on intensifying political dialogue and the development of cooperation in the cultural, humanitarian and economic aspects. Several documents will be signed. The program of cooperation in the field of culture, education, media, youth exchanges, tourism and sports for 2019-2022 is among them, as well as joint programs on scientific and technical cooperation for 2019-2023.
Giving an additional impetus to the activities of the Civil Society Dialogue Forum is another goal of the visit. The forum be held for the first time after a six-year hiatus. The forum, launched in 2003, is designed to encourage communication in various fields between representatives from the civil society of both countries on July, 4 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy.
Russkiy Mir
