Italy changes composition of European Trio

The Italian government has confirmed the changes to the European Trio, comprising Foreign Ministers of Spain, ex-chairman of the union Ana Palacio Vallelersundi, the current President, Georgios Papandreou of Greece, and the waiting President Franco Frattini of Italy, which is expected to arrive in Baku on an official visit with high-ranking European Union officials Javier Solana and Chris Patten.

As Italian Ambassador Ms. Margherite Costa previously told AssA-Irada Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Margherite Boniver replaced in the group Italian FM Frattini, as he is to preside at EU sessions from July 1, assuming EU Presidency for the next term. Visiting Baku in mid-July 2002 Mrs. Boniver has become closely acquainted with the region. The diplomats will arrive in Baku the following day after they have visited Armenia and Georgia on July 6. The delegation is scheduled to conduct several meetings in Baku, including with President Heydar Aliyev.