General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam ( CPV ) Nguyen Phu Trong said Vietnam always treasures the solidarity and precious support that Italian communists, left-wing forces and people have given to Vietnam both in the past and present.

Meeting Secretary General of the Communist Refoundation Party (PRC) of Italy Paolo Ferrero in Rome on January 22, Trong stressed that Vietnam values the friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with Italy , one of the founders of the European Union (EU) and a country that plays an important role in regional and international organisations and the world.

He informed the PRC leader about the decision of high-ranking leaders of both sides to lift the bilateral ties to strategic partnership level in the interest of people from both countries.

The upgrade of relations will create favourable conditions to the two parties to strengthen their relations, so that they can support each other and share experience, Trong said.

The PRC applauded the achievements that Vietnam has gained during its renewal cause under the leadership of the CPV .

Emphasising the importance of the ties between the two parties in the current circumstances, the PRC leader said his party hopes to exchange experience in party construction and development, as well as in economic management and cooperation.-VNA