President receives high-ranking Italian military official

SANA’A, June 06 (Saba)- President Ali Abdullah Saleh received Wednesday the visiting Italian deputy Defence Minister Lorenzo Forceri and discussed with him cooperation ties of Yemen and Italy, particularly in the military domain and Coastguard. During the meeting, President Saleh was acquainted with Forceri’s talks with Yemeni officials through which a cooperation deal between Yemen Coastguard Authority and its Italian counterpart was singed, in addition to launching the 1st phase of radar system to monitor Yemeni coastline and collaboration in areas of training, qualifying and exchanging military expertise as well. Saleh highly valued level of the Yemeni-Italian relations, noting that they are backdated and progressive. He affirmed Yemen’s interest to reinforce and promote these relations in various fields, pointing out to the Italian aid for Yemen democracy process, development and efforts of fighting terror. For his part, the Italian military official assured the President of Italy’s concern to better its ties with Yemen and broaden areas of joint cooperation on different arenas, saying that his country is ready to fund the 2nd phase of radar system for monitoring the Yemeni coastline. He lauded the democratic experience of Yemen, and the last September presidential and local elections transparency and honesty, making it clear that they reinforced Yemen position and appreciation of the world. AM/AMSaba