TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman has been granted the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, the Quirinal Palace’s press service said on Monday, according to TASS. The decree was signed by Italian President Sergio Mattarella. Gusman has received this award for "his outstanding contribution in informing Russians about modern Italian policy, in particular assisting in forming a positive image of Italy and Russian-Italian relations," the press service said.