National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung has suggested Vietnam and Italy continue stepping up their economic ties, especially in areas of each side’s strengths.

The top legislator made the proposal at a meeting with visiting Vice President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies Marina Sereni in Hanoi on January 6.

Speaking highly of the outcomes of the talks between Marina Sereni and NA Vice Chairperson Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, he voiced his hope that her visit will significantly contribute to strengthening cooperation between the two legislative bodies in the time ahead.

The chief legislator noted with pleasure the strategic partnership between the two countries which was established during the visit to Italy by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in January 2013, saying the relationship has opened up opportunities for bilateral linkage to develop extensively, effectively and sustainably.

The host thanked Italy for its support to Vietnam’s successful organisation of the Vietnamese Year in Italy, marking the 40 th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations.

On this occasion, NA Chairman Hung bid greetings to President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies Laura Boldrini, voicing his hope to receive the President at the 132nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union which Vietnam will host in 2015.

In reply, Marina Sereni stressed that Italian people have always granted good sentiments towards the land and people of Vietnam.

She expressed her wish that the two sides will effectively exploit their potential for cooperation and encourage each side’s businesses to increase the exchange of experience while partnering with each other.

She said she hopes that the two legislative bodies will tighten their cooperation at multilateral forums and increase exchanges of delegations as well as experience in legislative activities.

Earlier, during their talks in Hanoi, Marina Sereni and Ngan agreed to create favourable conditions for the signing and approval of cooperative agreements between the two legislative bodies.

The two sides will work together to supervise the implementation of agreements inked by the two Governments, exchange delegations at different levels and share experience in legislative activities.

They will also consult each other on international issues of common concern and enhance cooperation at inter-parliamentary forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP), while promoting the links between the two Governments.

Ngan affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to the role and position Italy has played in Europe and the world at large while pursuing the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of relations, and active and proactive global integration.

Marina Sereni expressed her pleasure at the fruitful development of the friendship and traditional cooperation between the two countries in all areas over the past time, especially the establishment of a strategic partnership.

While staying in Vietnam, the Italian legislator was also received by Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan, during which they agreed on the need for the two countries to promote ties between agencies of the States, the legislatures and the Governments while expanding cooperation in education, economics, investment and people-to-people exchange.-VNA