House Chair Rasi Departs for Working Visit to Rome

Bratislava, 20 January (TASR) - Parliamentary Chair Richard Rasi (Voice-SD) departed for a working visit to Rome on Tuesday morning, with the main goal being to deepen the strategic partnership and strengthen the parliamentary dimension between the two countries, Parliament Office's communications department told TASR on the same day, adding that Rasi is also due to meet President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies Lorenzo Fontana, as well as Vice-President of the Italian Senate Mariolina Castellone. At the beginning of his two-day working visit, Rasi will meet Castellone to discuss bilateral cooperation and the agenda of involving young people in political life. On Tuesday, he will also attend an economic forum focused on the sustainable "green construction sector and sustainable tourism". During this part of his visit, the Memorandum of Understanding between the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO) and the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), as well as the deed of foundation of the Association for Assistance to Slovak and Italian Entrepreneurs, will be signed. On Tuesday, a ceremonial reception to mark the 33rd anniversary of the founding of the Slovak Republic and a wreath-laying ceremony at a bust of Alexander Dubcek will be held. On Wednesday (21 January), Rasi will pay tribute to fallen heroes at the Altar of the Fatherland (Altare della Patria) monument and hold official bilateral talks with Fontana. "The two partners will follow up on the ongoing intensive dialogue and focus on seeking common positions on fundamental European issues," stated the communications department. During his working trip, Rasi is accompanied by a parliamentary delegation composed of MPs Robert Puci (Voice-SD), Igor Janckulik (Christian Democrats/KDH), Ivan Hazucha (Smer-SD), Daniel Karas (Smer-SD), Peter Kalivoda (Voice-SD), Zdenko Svoboda (Voice-SD), and Zora Jaurova (Progressive Slovakia/PS). jrg