Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong arrived at Ciampino military airport on January 20, starting his state-level visit to Italy at the invitation of Italian President Giorgio Napolitano.

Trong visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy and representatives of the overseas Vietnamese (OV) community, during which he stressed the hi storical significance of the first visit to Western Europe, which serves as an economic, financial, cultural, educational and science-technology hub of Europe and the world.

He added that the two sides will sign important and practical agreements during his visit, which will contribute to increased exchanges and cooperation between Vietnam and the countries he visits, both bilaterally and multilaterally from central to local levels.

Trong said he hopes the embassy staff will fulfil the tasks assigned by the Party, State and people, serving as a bridge for friendship and cooperation between the two nations.

Trong informed the OV community of the domestic situation and the implementation of the Resolution of the 11th National Party Congress on Party building.

The Party leader expressed his hope that overseas Vietnamese will support each other and integrate with the host nation. He wished them and the embassy staff a healthy, happy and successful Lunar New Year.-VNA