Head of the CPV's Commission for External Relations Le Hoai Trung (Photo: VNA) Rome (VNA) – Secretary of theCommunist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and head of its Commissionfor External Relations Le Hoai Trung led a delegation to Italy and the Vaticanfor a working trip from January 16-19.
Duringthe trip, the Vietnamese delegation held meetings and working sessions with theItalian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, leaders of rulingparties, and major political parties in Italy, Chairpersons of the ForeignAffairs Committees of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, and severalparliamentarians representing various parties.
Theymet with Pope Francis and held working sessions with the Prime Minister andMinister of Foreign Affairs of the Vatican.
Duringworking sessions with leaders of the Italian Government, Parliament andpolitical parties, the Vietnamese delegation praised the positive development of the strategic partnershipbetween the two countries and briefed on the achievements made by Vietnam duringits nearly 40 years of renovation, as well as the Vietnamese Party and State’s developmentorientations and foreign policies.
They proposed that the two countries actively realise agreements, expandcooperation in line with their potential and demands, and improve theeffectiveness of party-to-party cooperation.
Whilein Vatican, the delegation affirmed the policies of the Vietnamese Party andState regarding the guarantee of the rights to freedom of religion and belief,and updated on the development of Catholicism in Vietnam.
TheVietnamese side expressed delight at the new important strides inVietnam-Vatican relations, and reiterated the invitations from the Vietnamese Party and State leaders to the Pope to visitVietnam.
Partnerscongratulated Vietnam on its achievements under the leadership of the CPV, withGeneral Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at the helm, considering Vietnam asuccessful development model.
Leadersof the Italian Government, Parliament, political parties, and the Vatican highlightedthe importance of their relationship with Vietnam, expressing high regard forVietnam's guidelines and policies.
PopeFrancis accepted the invitation to visit Vietnam and suggested collaborativeefforts to arrange the visit. The Italian authorities also engaged in discussionsregarding specific cooperation activities for the future./.
