OREANDA-NEWS. December 06, 2010. As part of the Russian-Italian Forum-Dialogue “Partnership for Modernization” timed to coincide with the 7th round of Russian-Italian bilateral interstate top-level consultations, a ceremony to award the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic Grand Officer Degree to Vnesheconombank Chairman Vladimir Dmitriev was held in the city of Sochi.

The Order was presented by Italy’s Foreign Minister, Co-Chair of the Russian-Italian Council on Economic, Industrial, Monetary and Financial Cooperation Franco Frattini.

The Title of the Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic was conferred to Vladimir Dmitriev for his great contribution to strengthening Italian-Russian cooperation in the economic and financial sectors and for his energetic efforts to enhance activities of the Russian-Italian Forum-Dialogue within the Framework of Civil Societies, which he co-chairs.

The Order of Merit of the Italian Republic is a State Order of Merit. The Council of the Order is headed by Italy’s President.

The Order is awarded to civil and military government employees for great merits in literature, arts, economy, charity, public and humanitarian activities.

In various years the Order was awarded to First Russian President Boris Yeltsin, film director Nikita Mikhalkov, theatre director Yuri Lyubimov, businessman Vagit Alekperov.