Renato Darsie (R), Chairman of the Italy - Vietnam Friendship Sub-Association in Veneto, presents the right to use the Vietnamese cultural centre to a representative of Vietnamese students in May 2022. (Photo: VNA) So said Renato Darsie, Chairman of the Italy - Vietnam FriendshipSub-Association in the Veneto region, in an interview granted to the VietnamNews Agency.
He described the 50th anniversary of the diplomaticrelationship (March 23, 1973 - 2023) as an important milestone marking thegrowing friendship and political, economic, and cultural ties between the twocountries.
Bilateral relations over the last 50 years are those ofsolidarity and friendship across the board as seen in the Italian people’s assistance to Vietnam during the resistance wars against the French colonialists and UNimperialists, along with mutual support in the international arena on the basisof common interests.
Since the elevation of relationship to a strategic partnershipin 2012, cooperation has been thriving in all spheres. Bilateral trade rose to6.2 billion USD in 2022 from 1.4 billion USD in 2013. Collaboration ineducation and training remains one of the priorities as both sides have been facilitatinglinks between their universities and educational establishments, according to Darsie.
He went on to say that to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties, the Italy - Vietnam Friendship Sub-Associationin Veneto will send a delegation to the Southeast Asian nation this April tohelp its members learn more about the local culture and history.
It is also working with the Italian and Vietnamese embassiesin the two countries to carry out some initiatives, including holding aVietnamese culture week in Venice in June.
Also in the Italian city this October, the sub-associationand the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice will release a study of tides onrivers in Ho Chi Minh City. The study, conducted in coordination with the HCMCity Department of Natural Resources and Environment, will help the southern metropolisof Vietnam cope with flooding.
The school, which also organises courses on the Vietnameselanguage and history, is also planning to introduce a study on the country’straditional music, the Chairman noted.
As Vietnam is now in an economic boom,Italy should boost cooperation with Vietnam, especially in investment, hesuggested, adding that Italian enterprises boast advantages for investing inVietnam since both countries share many similarities, from population, climate,geographical locations to cuisine, as well as the close-knit ties between thetwo peoples.
Vietnam should also invite experts inthe fields Italy is strong at to help with specialised issues during eacheconomic development stage, he recommended.
In 2013, Darsie was honoured with the Vietnamese State’s FriendshipOrder in recognition of his tireless contributions to the countries’solidarity, friendship, and cooperation./.
VNA
