Italian President Giorgio Napolitano received Vietnam’s new Ambassador Nguyen Hoang Long, who presented his credentials before officially taking up his duties in Italy.

During their talks on September 12, President Napolitano congratulated Vietnam for its achievements in socio-economic development since the country embarked on its renewal process. He also expressed his pleasure at the fine friendship and multifaceted cooperation shown between the two countries in the recent years.

He went on to say that the Italian government will do everything it can to help the diplomat fulfill his tasks during his tenure in Italy.

Ambassador Long gave the President a briefing on the country’s current socio-economic situation as well as its goals and strategies for the future.

He briefed his host on the organisation of the ‘Vietnam Year in Italy’ in 2013, to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

The diplomat stated that he will make every effort to boost diplomatic ties between both countries to take bilateral cooperation to a higher level, especially in the fields of trade and economics, culture, education and training and science and technology.-VNA