Iran, Italy To Develop Media Co-op

Tehran, July 13, IRNA – Managing Director of the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) Mohammad Khoddadi in a meeting on Saturday with Managing Director of Italyˈs news agency AKI Alessandro Pica and his deputy Roberto Ladicicco studied ways to develop cooperation between the two news agencies. Both sides exchanged views and discussed expansion of professional cooperation. Welcoming expansion of good relations between Iran and Italy, Khoddadi described Romeˈs stand on Iranˈs developments as positive and said that the media are expected to contribute to the betterment of international cooperation. 80 years of experience in various cultural and media activities along with the activities of IRNA school of media studies regarded as a considerable asset for the Iranian news agency, he said. Under the new management in the 11th government, IRNA is to revitalize its activities and has spent special attention to economic news, he said. Managing director of the Italyˈs news agency, for his part expressed pleasure with his visit to Iran and demonstrated capabilities along with the record of activities of the Italian news agency. He also welcomed expansion of media cooperation with the IRNA. Italy news agency is to sign MoU on expansion of professional cooperation with IRNA, he said. AKI, deputy chief Roberto Ladicicco said that they are to open a representative office in Tehran and hire a permanent reporter to cover news. He expressed hope that the signing of the MoU would be the first step for full coverage of Iran news and events. After the meeting, the Italian delegation toured various parts of IRNA and got acquainted with routine operations. During their stay in Tehran, the Italian delegation will confer with minister of culture and Islamic guidance and deputy foreign minister on expansion of cultural cooperation between the two countries./end