Putin meets Berlusconi for informal talks in RomeNovember 26, 2013 - 18:47 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian President Vladimir Putin met with longtime friend and former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi for informal talks in Rome on Monday, Nov 25, Putin’s spokesman said, according to RIA Novosti. The Russian President also met with Pope Francis earlier on Monday in a private meeting that focused on finding a peaceful solution to the ongoing civil war in Syria. That evening, the Russian leader held closed-door talks with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano. Italian media recently claimed that Putin was considering making Berlusconi his ambassador to the Vatican. Berlusconi faces community service for committing tax fraud and having sex with an underage woman. If he were made an ambassador, he would get diplomatic immunity. Berlusconi has not commented on the claims, Russian radio station Ekho Moskvy (Echo of Moscow) reported Tuesday. Putin was expected to travel to Trieste on Tuesday to meet with Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta to discuss bilateral relations as well as economic and international issues, including Syria. Related links: Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. 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". Partner news | IDBank, Dalma team up for Caucasian Deer Reintroduction Program IDBank has joined Dalma Garden Mall’s Green Challenge to support the Caucasian red deer reintroduction project. Through Ucom’s support the 12th Sunchild Festival concludes On May 24-28, with the support of Ucom, the 12th international environmental festival Sunchild took place in Yerevan. U.S., Turkey emphasize importance of Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal Jake Sullivan and Akif Cagatay Kilic have discussed the normalization process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Armenia coach expects good football in Slovenia friendly The Armenian national team has left for Ljubljana a friendly match against Slovenia on June 4. |