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Italian lawmakers to visit Crimea

The trip will last three days to include visits to Sevastopol, Yalta and Simferopol and meetings with Crimea’s leaders Sergey Aksyonov, Vladimir Konstantinov, Oleg Belaventsev and others

ROME, May 13. /TASS/. Italian parliamentarians will pay a friendly introductory visit to the Republic of Crimea, the press service of the Senate (upper house of parliament) has reported.

The trip will last three days to include visits to Sevastopol, Yalta and Simferopol and meetings with Crimea’s leaders Sergey Aksyonov, Vladimir Konstantinov, Oleg Belaventsev and others.

The delegation includes senators Bartolomeo Pepe, Paola De Pin and Ivana Simeoni who are members of the senate mixed group and also lawmaker Nicola Ciraci, former representative of the Forza Italia! (Forward, Italy) political party and adviser Gabriele Sani.

The press release states that the parliamentarians plan to discuss cultural and economic relations and an array of issues associated with Crimea’s incorporation into Russia. The aim of these talks due to be held by the Italian politicians is "fruitful cooperation between the two countries and the dialogue for peace and detente."

It notes that Italy and Crimea are united by long-standing historical and cultural ties. Today they can be strengthened by means of exchanges in the agro-food sector, infrastructure, technologies and tourism.

The delegation will be accompanied by well-known Italian journalist and former member of the European Parliament Giulietto Chiesa.

While in Sevastopol, the delegation is due to visit on Friday the Italian military cemetery and the Military Historical Museum of Fortifications. Later in the day the Italian parliamentarians will meet with the local leaders.

It is expected that after returning to Italy the members of the delegation will take part in the Black Sea - Challenges and Prospects conference to be held in Rome on May 19.